GWR mainline blocked at South Brent/Ivybridge

[Essexman]

The line is blocked at South Brent (some reports say Ivybridge) this morning due to 'river has breached the railway'.
The rivers off Dartmoor run in valleys well below the railway on this stretch of line.
Could it be that the Avon has burst its banks and the base of the viaduct pillars are under water or perhaps a smaller stream that's closer to the level of the railway?

 

[richw]

River Erme is the offender according to Plymouth live. That runs almost through Ivybridge town centre

 

[Essexman]

River Erme is the offender according to Plymouth live. That runs almost through Ivybridge town centre

But crosses the railway under a big viaduct north of the town centre.

GWR have just said lines have reopened.

 

[richw]

But crosses the railway under a big viaduct north of the town centre.

That’s why it’s baffling me how it’s flooded the line

 

[InOban]

Danger of scour? ie undermining the base of the piers.

 

[800001]

The river hadn’t breached, but had reached the closure marks on one of the bridges. This needed inspecting by diving engineers in daylight.

 

[Taunton]

The river hadn’t breached, but had reached the closure marks on one of the bridges. This needed inspecting by diving engineers in daylight.

The line must be a good 100 feet above the river there. Here they are :

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[800001]

The line must be a good 100 feet above the river there. Here they are :

It doesn’t matter how high the bridge above the water is, if the water reaches a level that the deem ‘dangerous’ then the bridge needs inspecting.

As @InOban mentioned above the possibility of ‘scouring’ is the most likely reason.

And to confirm it is Brent Viaduct, also known as Lower Bridge that was the culprit.

 

[zwk500]

The line must be a good 100 feet above the river there. Here they are :

If the pillar is at risk, then there's the risk of a 100ft fall.

 

[Ediswan]

Here is a page with some photos of the Erme under the railway viaduct, with a kayaker for scale.
https://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/rivers/england/south-west/photos/river-erme-gorge

 

[Sleepy]

More issues with this ? 2345 Sleeper ex Paddington to terminate at Exeter tonight, as is Up working (Plymouth)

 

[Essexman]

The line was closed again his morning but is now open again however disruption expected until 14.00.
If only there was an alternative route open from Exeter to Plymouth.

 

[Irascible]

"If only the bridge was more robust" also works.