Media centre

Wednesday 12 Feb 2020

Storm Ciara: Damage to the Cambrian Line

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Storm Ciara resulted in strong winds, intense rainfall and flooding across Wales over the weekend. This extreme weather event caused damage to the Cambrian Line and passengers are being urged to check journeys before they travel.

The main issues caused by the weekend’s weather on the Cambrian Line include washed away embankment areas, washed away ballast and debris brought onto the track by flood waters.

The section of the Cambrian line between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth has reopened and rail services are operating between the two stations.

Transport for Wales is currently operating bus rail replacement services between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth and between Machynlleth and Pwllheli. Both lines remain closed until further notice.

Chris Pearce, head of operations delivery for Network Rail, Wales and Borders, said:

“Our teams have been assessing the damage on the Cambrian Line caused by this extreme weather event and we are currently developing a programme of work to repair the line.

“We are also aware that Storm Dennis, this coming weekend, may cause additional damage on the Cambrian Line, so our timeframe for completing repairs to the line will not be clear until early next week. We’re grateful to passengers and the local community for bearing with us while we work to reopen the railway.”

Bethan Jelfs, Customer Delivery Director for Transport for Wales Rail Services said:

“Following the damage caused by Storm Ciara over the weekend to the Cambrian Line, we will be working collaboratively with our partners in Network Rail to ensure we keep our customers moving.

"A rail replacement bus will operate along the affected routes but we do encourage our customers to regularly check for service updates and we will provide information as work on the line progresses.”