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Wednesday 1 Mar 2023

Network Rail urges passengers to check before they travel as multi-million-pound Ebbw Vale upgrade continues

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

The Ebbw Vale line will be closed on three separate occasions across March and April, with further closures planned between May and July, as considerable work continues to be carried out across the entire line. 

Engineers from Network Rail and principal contractor, Amco, will continue platform construction work at both Llanhilleth and Newbridge stations and install part of a new fully accessible footbridge and lifts at Llanhilleth station.  

Network Rail’s internal Construction Services team will undertake substantial track work between Crosskeys and Crumlin and alongside our contractors Siemens, we will continue to upgrade and renew signals along the line.  

This work is part of the Ebbw Vale enhancement scheme that will enable an additional hourly passenger service from Ebbw Vale to Newport in the future. 

 The dates of the upcoming closures across March and April are:  

• Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March  
• Saturday 25 to Thursday 30 March (inclusive)
• Sunday 23 April to Sunday 30 April (inclusive)  

During these line closures, buses will replace trains between Ebbw Vale Town and Cardiff Central. Passengers are urged to plan ahead and check www.nationalrail.co.uk before travelling.  

As well as line closures, Network Rail will close Colliery Way, opposite St Illtyd’s Primary School from 05.00 on Tuesday 27 to 05.00 on Thursday 29 March and again at the end of April (exact dates TBC) to safely lift in the stairs and bridge for the new fully accessible footbridge at Llanhilleth station. A fully signposted diversionary route will be in place during these periods.  

Last October, there was a nine-day closure of the line to replace Bridge Street rail bridge in Newbridge, install new track and regrade an embankment near Riverside Park. In addition to this, 53km of new signalling cable was installed as well as four trackside cabinets to house the new signalling equipment. 

Nick Millington, interim route director at Network Rail Wales & Borders, said: “It’s fantastic to see the transformation of the Ebbw Vale line really taking shape after last year’s huge upgrades and our continued work in 2023. This multi-million-pound investment will transform services on the line and really benefit the communities it serves.   

“I would like to thank the local communities and passengers, in advance, for their patience while we safely carry out this work.” 

Tom Edwards, Project Manager at Network Rail, said: “As well as enabling more frequent services in the future, it is vital that we deliver this new footbridge and lifts at Llanhilleth station to provide accessible, step-free access for those who need it.  

“We know there is never a right time to carry out work of this nature but closing the line and specific roads will allow us unlimited access to the railway to safely complete this essential work.”