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Rail passengers in flood affected parts of Wales are being urged to ‘check before you travel’ as Network Rail staff work hard to keep train services running, despite severe weather conditions.

Hundreds of thousands of passengers and freight users are set to benefit from one of the biggest Christmas and New Year investment programmes ever carried out on Britain’s rail network.

Patrick McLoughlin, secretary of state for transport, was given a tour of Cardiff Central station during a visit to Wales so he could see first-hand the improvements carried out by Network Rail to deliver better journeys for passengers.

A new footbridge and ramp at Chirk station is providing passengers and the community with step-free access for the whole station for the first time.

A temporary footbridge will open to Newport residents next week to provide a safe alternative way to cross the railway as Somerton Road bridge closes to allow for the electrification of the railway between London and Swansea.

The local community gathered in Magor to celebrate Whitewall footbridge becoming the first new railway bridge to open in South Wales as part of Network Rail’s electrification of the South Wales Mainline.

Passengers travelling between Wrexham and Chester or Rhyl are advised to check before travelling this month as Network Rail carries out vital improvement work as part of its Railway Upgrade Plan.

Newport residents are reminded that Somerton Road bridge will be closing to vehicles to allow for the electrification of the railway between London and Swansea.