Media centre

Monday 25 Feb 2019

Weekend 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 during March and April are urged to check before they travel, ahead of modernisation work on the South Wales Main Line.

In Swansea, from Saturday 2 to Sunday 3 March, engineers will be removing old signal structures in the Landore area and bringing into use new signalling equipment, which will make the railway more resilient and reliable for passengers.  Engineers will also be working between the Severn Tunnel and Cardiff throughout March and April to modernise the mainline, which 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.

How are journeys affected?

Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March:
Buses will replace trains between Llanelli and Cardiff. 

On Sunday 3 March only, buses will replace trains between Cardiff Central and Ebbw Vale. 

Sunday 24 March:
Buses will replace trains between Cardiff Central and Ebbw Vale. 

Sunday 31 March:
Buses will replace trains between Newport, Cardiff and Bridgend.  

Sunday 7 and 14 April:
Great Western Railway services between Cardiff Central and Newport will run with an amended timetable in place. Transport for Wales services between Cardiff Central and Cwmbran and between Cardiff Central and Ebbw Vale will be replaced by buses.  

Alison Thompson, chief operating officer for Network Rail in Wales and Borders, said: “We would like to thank passengers for their patience and understanding while we deliver this work as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.

 “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.”