Great Western Coffee Shop

OK ... my plans for Tuesday

07:20 Melksham Link Bus from Bowerhill to Melksham Station
07:48 (Swindon) train to Chippenham (07:59 there)
08:42 Chippenham to Exeter St David's (10:11 there)

and for Wednesday

05:46 Exeter St David's to Westbury (06:59 there)
07:04 Westbury to Swindon (as far as Melksham, at 07:20)

FGW web site currently offering me these time, but - realistically - what are my chances?   I need to be in Exeter from around 11:00 on the Tuesday until around 22:00, and have to be back in Melksham for 08:15 on Wednesday.

Chances are slim at the moment. The line south of Bridgwater is completely over topped by water. Even if the level drops significantly (there's still further upland rainfall forecast that the River Parrett will struggle to cope with) the line and signalling will need some repair.

The line through Crewkerne has reopened and it may be the case of waiting to see whether there will be a diverted service suitable for your needs, from Westbury to Exeter via Yeovil.

You may have to travel to Bristol and take an express rail replacement coach to Exeter.

OR:
0638 Melksham to Salisbury 0736
0740 Salisbury to Exeter St Davids 0944

Anyone know what the situation is like at Athelney?  I have not seen any photos since the line was closed.

I agree it looks like Bridgwater has probably suffered some damage to the signalling equipment so work will be needed there once the water recedes.

Thanks for the inputs ... the meeting from Exeter has been postponed to a new date yet to be set ... so I guess we'll never know how realistic it was on the day.  Sensible postponement in all the circumstances!

You'd've had a train from Westbury at 0826 (delayed, actually departed 0858) arriving Exeter 0958 this morning. Wouldn't have been able to connect into it from Melksham though.

06:38 Ran - a bit too early, though, I would agree ...