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Wednesday 16 Sep 2026

Essential railway improvements between Cardiff and Bridgend this September and October

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

Network Rail is urging passengers travelling in south Wales to plan ahead with a programme of essential railway improvements taking place over three weekends this autumn.

The work will take place from Saturday 19 to Monday 21 September, Saturday 26 to Monday 28 September, and Saturday 17 to Monday 19 October.

During each weekend, the railway between Cardiff and Bridgend, via Pontyclun, will be closed from 01.20 on Saturday until 04.05 on Monday, giving engineers the time needed to safely carry out a range of improvements to help keep the railway safe and reliable for passenger and freight services.

Train services between Cardiff and Bridgend will be amended during the three weekends. Some services will be diverted, while replacement road transport will operate for affected stations.

Passengers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys and check before travelling.

What work is being carried out?

The programme will see engineers working at several locations along the route, renewing sections of track and rail, carrying out signalling work, managing vegetation and inspecting and repairing railway structures.

During the two September closures, engineers will renew track between Pontsarn and Llanharan, alongside vegetation clearance, rail testing, signalling testing and surveys.

Further improvements will be carried out during the October closure, including track renewal and rail replacement between Cardiff West Junction and St Fagans, as well as between Miskin and Pontyclun.

Teams will also carry out signalling and points renewal, vegetation management, structural repairs near Peterston, and essential track inspections and patrols.

Martin Taylor, Chief Infrastructure Officer at Network Rail Wales and Borders said: “These three weekends will give our teams an important opportunity to carry out a significant package of work at locations across the railway between Cardiff and Bridgend.

“By bringing this work together while the railway is closed, our engineers can work safely and efficiently to renew and maintain the infrastructure that thousands of passengers and vital freight services rely on every day.

“We’re sorry for the disruption this will cause and would like to thank passengers and our lineside neighbours for their patience while we complete these essential improvements. Please check your journey before travelling and allow extra time.”

Passengers should check their journey before travelling using National Rail Enquiries, the Transport for Wales journey planner or at GWR.com.