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Friday 28 Mar 2008

£13M WORK BEGINS TO IMPROVE SERVICES ON CAMBRIAN LINE

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Passengers can look forward to a more reliable railway between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth, Machynlleth and Pwllheli as Network Rail begins work to improve the Cambrian Line.

Jointly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and Network Rail, the enhancement project will allow an increase in trains to an hourly service, boosting the number of passenger trains from 38 to 57 per day.

The Cambrian line currently serves more than 390,000 passengers, and this could be increased by 55,000 more.

Improvement work will be carried out in several phases and is planned for completion by Spring 2009. This work will include:

• The creation of new and enhanced passing loops at Dovey Junction, Talerddig and between Welshpool Station and Fron level crossing.
• A revised design and operation of Weig Lane level crossing to allow the removal of a speed restriction at the crossing, and
• The lifting of the track and platforms at Dovey Junction to reduce impact of flooding in the area.

The first work will be carried out from 19 April to 27 April 2008 and includes work to modernise signalling technology, and the Cabrian line will become the first in the country to deploy the industry’s newest signalling technology, the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).

Locations where the first phase of work will be carried out are, Llanidloes Road, Caersws level crossing, Weig Lane, Merrllyn Level Crossing, Welshpool, Newtown, Tallerddig, Machynlleth and Dovey Junction.

Mike Gallop, route enhancement manager, Network Rail, says,

“This first phase of work marks an exciting development on the vision to improve the Cambrian Line. It’s a much- anticipated investment, which Network Rail is pleased to support. Enhancement on this line will bring tremendous benefits to the local economy as rail services become more efficient and reliable to support the growing number of commuters and tourists travelling through this area.”

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones says,

"This joint investment will improve very significantly the efficiency and convenience of a service which is essential to many thousands of people. It will encourage even more people to use the service - and make rail travel a viable alternative to car use for very many commuters.”

Mike Bagshaw, Commercial Director, Arriva Trains Wales, says,

"Arriva Trains Wales would like to apologise to customers for the inconvenience this work will cause. While it means short-term inconvenience for our passengers on the Cambrian Line, they will benefit from these infrastructure improvements in the longer term.

ATW would like to advise all customers that the alternative travel arrangements will make journey times longer than usual and we would suggest passengers allow extra time for their travel arrangements during this period."

Rail replacement bus service will be in operation between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth and from Machynlleth to Tywyn in both directions. Passengers are advised to allow an extra hour for their journey between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth.

Those passengers travelling from Birmingham and Wolverhampton to Aberystwyth who wish to arrive at their usual time are advised to catch the Arriva Trains Wales service to Chester and change at Shrewsbury for the replacement bus service. The Birmingham to Chester service departs an hour earlier than the Birmingham to Aberystwyth service.

Trains between Tywyn and Pwllheli will mostly run as normal. Passengers are advised to refer to www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk or contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 for replacement services.