Media centre

Wednesday 16 Jan 2019

Sunday rail passengers urged to check before travelling ahead of upcoming modernisation work

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Passengers planning to use Sunday train services in South Wales in January and February are urged to check before they travel, ahead of modernisation on the South Wales Main Line.

For Network Rail teams to deliver this essential upgrade work, some Sunday services in the south of the Wales and Borders rail network will be replaced with buses throughout early 2019.

On Sunday 20 January and Sunday 10 February, buses will replace trains between Newport and Bridgend to allow upgrade work to be carried out along the mainline and at Cardiff Central station. Rail replacement bus services will also operate between Cardiff Central and Ebbw Vale on Sunday 3, and between Cardiff Central and Cwmbran, Ebbw Vale Town and Severn Tunnel Junction on Sunday 17 February.

Further work is planned for March and April. Network Rail is also carrying out essential maintenance work on the Valley Lines, which will affect some Sunday Cardiff and Valleys services during this time. For more information visit: https://tfwrail.wales/weekend-south-wales or https://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/planned-engineering/electrification.

Dan Tipper, project director for Network Rail, said: “We would like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding while we deliver this work as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.

“Once complete, the modernisation will enable Intercity Express Trains to run between London and Cardiff on electricity, improving journeys for passengers and creating a quieter environment for lineside neighbours.

“We are working closely with Transport for Wales, Great Western Railway and other partners to ensure passengers are able to get to where they need to be during this major modernisation work.”

Colin Lea, customer experience director for Transport for Wales said: “We recognise that engineering work does cause disruption to our customers and we thank them for their patience.

“This work is incredibly important to the upgrade of the railway in South Wales and the benefits will be felt for years to come. We will be working closely with our partners in Network Rail to reduce the impact on our customers and would encourage everyone travelling to check details of their journey in advance via our website at www.tfwrail.wales.”

GWR operations manager Rob Mullen said: “Passengers are already taking advantage of our new Intercity Express Trains, which are providing over 10,000 more seats every day across the Great Western network.

“With electrification of the line to Cardiff and a new timetable agreed with Network Rail, we will also be able to deliver quicker journeys between South Wales and London.”