Media centre

Monday 11 Apr 2005

FOOTBALL FANS ADVISED OF CHANGES TO SOUTH WALES SERVICES

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Football fans travelling between South Wales and England for the FA Cup Semi-Finals on Saturday 16 April and Sunday 17 April are advised to check their journey details before travelling as a result of the closure of the Patchway Tunnel in Bristol for essential engineering works. Following a history of drainage problems, the tunnel is closed for three weeks until Sunday 24 April. A new drainage system is being installed and track renewed in the tunnel that runs from London to Cardiff (down-line) and the existing drainage system in the tunnel that runs from Cardiff to London (up-line) is also being improved.  Peter Leppard, Network Rail’s Acting Western Route Director, said:  “For the last few years we have promised the FA that we will have no significant work on any route to Cardiff on FA Cup Final day itself, but on any other weekend we cannot always offer that.  There are a large number of events held in Cardiff that we simply cannot keep all those times work free. “It is necessary to carry out these works to maintain the safe running of the railway.” For those travelling to Cardiff for the FA Cup Semi-Finals:

• All First Great Western train services between London Paddington and Cardiff will be diverted via Gloucester, with journey times extended by 45 minutes.  On Saturday there are scheduled services leaving Paddington at 0700 and 0800 and two additional services at 0723 and 0808.  On Sunday trains will be leaving Paddington at 0850, 1000 and 1100.
• There will be no trains running between Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff, with a limited bus shuttle service operating.  Football supporters are advised to make alternative arrangements if travelling from this area.
• Wessex Trains services between Taunton, Weston-super-Mare and Bristol Temple Meads are also subject to alterations.
• Arriva Trains Wales will be operating a frequent 'park and ride' shuttle service between Newport and Cardiff Central before and after the match on both days. Services on other routes into and out of Cardiff will be strengthened as much as possible.

  Full alternative travel arrangements can be obtained by calling National Rail Enquiries (08457 48 49 50), logging on to www.nationalrail.co.uk or contacting First Great Western (www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk), Wessex Trains (www.wessextrains.co.uk) or Arriva Trains Wales (www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk).