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Tuesday 21 Mar 2017

Final phase of major Wrexham to Chester rail enhancement project to begin

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

The final phase of the North/South Wales Enhancement project will begin on Friday 24 March, which will deliver essential enhancements to the railway between Wrexham and Chester as part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan.

Funded by Welsh Government, this major rail enhancement will deliver five miles of track redoubling between Wrexham and Chester. Once commissioned this spring, the upgrade work will unlock the potential for more frequent services and shorter journey times between Cardiff and Holyhead, subject to additional fleet being made available and limited-stop services being specified in the future.

As part of the project’s final phase, work will be undertaken on the railway between Rossett Junction and Saltney Junction, which will affect passengers travelling between Wrexham and Chester and from North Wales to Chester.

Rail replacement bus services will be in operation as follows:

• 21.00 Friday 24 March to 23:35 Saturday 25 March  -  Chester to Rhyl
• 23:35 Saturday 25 March night to 03:55 Monday 27 March – Chester to Llandudno Junction
• 21.00 Friday 24 March to 05.10 Saturday 1 April – Chester to Wrexham

With work at Broad Oak and Balderton underway and due to be complete by Friday 24 March,  work will also take place on two other level crossings in the area from Saturday 25 March to Saturday 14 April.

Upgrade work on Green Lane and Pulford level crossings will see them benefit from safer, state-of-the-art obstacle detection systems. The crossings will be closed to pedestrians and road users  while the upgrade work takes place, with diversionary routes in place.

Francis McGarry, route delivery director for Network Rail Wales said:

“We are pleased to be delivering the final phase of the North/South Wales Enhancement project, which will unlock the potential for faster and more frequent services between Holyhead and Cardiff.

“The work will also provide greater resilience and reliability on the railway, all part of our Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger and better railway for the growing number of passengers.

“With four level crossings set to be upgraded in the area, I would like to thank road and rail users for bearing with us whilst this improvement work takes place.

“We are working closely with our partners Arriva Trains Wales, who are providing a rail replacement bus service for passengers during this essential railway upgrade work.”

Network Rail will also be delivering work between Wrexham and Bidston on Sunday 26 March. Passengers are reminded to check before they travel as some services may be affected.