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Monday 23 Oct 2017

Rail passengers reminded to check before travelling ahead of boxing in Cardiff

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Passengers are reminded to check before travelling ahead of the Anthony Joshua and Carlos Takam fight in the Principality Stadium this Saturday night (28 October).

Essential railway upgrade work between London and Cardiff will affect journeys for fans travelling to and from the event.

There will be fewer trains travelling to Cardiff on Saturday 28 October, and once the fight finishes, estimated to be late on Saturday evening, there will be no trains back to London or Bristol. On Sunday 29 October services will resume, with some rail replacement buses in operation.

Bill Kelly, chief operating officer for Network Rail Wales, said: “We are working with Great Western Railway and Arriva Trains Wales to advise travelling fans to plan their journeys well in advance this weekend, as railway engineering work will limit their journey options.

“This upgrade work was planned a year in advance and forms part of the modernisation of the railway between London and Cardiff. This will provide more seats for passengers and increase our capacity for hosting major events in the future.”

Network Rail’s work has been planned since 2016 and advertised in advance. This includes work in the following locations:

• Between Cardiff and Newport
• Severn Tunnel
• Bristol Parkway
• Between Paddington and Reading

Mark Hopwood, GWR managing director, said: “The work over that weekend is a vital part of Network Rail’s upgrade plans, helping GWR to take full advantage of our new fleet and the greatest step-change in experience for our passengers in a generation.

“Those travelling from London and Bristol to the boxing in Cardiff are strongly advised to plan their journey in advance.”

Gareth Thomas, director for Arriva Trains Wales, said: "Cardiff has an excellent record for delivering major events, and important railway upgrade work, such as that being undertaken during October by our partners in Network Rail, will help improve the experience and capacity for visitors for future events.

 “Due to rail services being limited, we encourage visiting fans to ensure that they plan in advance for the event and consider all available modes when planning their travel.”

Railway upgrade work allows Network Rail to continue to provide a safe and reliable railway.

In order to plan this work, Network Rail first agrees a schedule with train operators to give passengers the most notice possible and achieve the best value for the taxpayer. Engineers and specialist equipment are booked in advance. Cancelling work and rescheduling it at another time would increase costs for the taxpayer.

Passengers are advised to plan their journey in advance at www.nationalrail.co.uk or by calling Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000.

Further details on the fight can be found here: http://www.principalitystadium.wales/events/v/joshua-v-pulev-2017-10-28

More information on city centre road closures can be found here: https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c/16607.html