Media centre

Wednesday 1 Nov 2017

Network Rail and Arriva Trains Wales thank passengers as railway reopens between Swansea and Carmarthen

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Network Rail has thanked passengers for their patience following urgent repair work on the line between Swansea and Carmarthen.

The line was closed on Monday 30 October, after a serious fault on a freight train caused multiple track defects and damage to the railway.

Network Rail engineers have been working round the clock to carry out repairs across 50 miles of track to ensure the line is safe to reopen for passengers.

Teams have been out in force since Monday, using ultrasonic testing equipment to to detect flaws in the track and ensure there was no further unseen damage.

Bill Kelly, chief operating officer for Network Rail in Wales and the Borders, said: “The safety of our passengers and workforce is a key priority, and we have worked hard to reopen the line as quickly as possible.

“This is an important transport link, and we have worked closely with our partners at Arriva Trains Wales to keep passengers moving during the closure. I would like to thank people for their patience while we delivered this urgent repair work.”

Lynne Milligan, customer services director for Arriva Trains Wales said: “We are grateful to our customers for their patience whilst we worked with our partners in Network Rail to minimise the impact of the disruption experienced in West Wales this week. Network Rail’s engineers have worked hard to repair the damage to tracks as quickly and as safely as possible.

"We would encourage anyone who may have been affected to get in touch with Arriva Trains Wales so that we can arrange any compensation which they may be entitled to. Customers can visit www.arrivatrains.wales/claim to submit their application.”