Buses to replace trains during weekend closure later this month
PASSENGERS travelling between Newport and Cardiff are being urged to check their journeys in advance as essential railway upgrades are carried out later this month.
Network Rail has announced a programme of track renewal work on the South Wales Main Line, which will affect services between Newport railway station and Cardiff Central railway station.
The engineering work will take place between Monday, March 16 and Sunday, March 22, with teams replacing sections of track on one of the busiest stretches of railway in south Wales.
Weekend closure for major works
To allow engineers to complete the most intensive part of the upgrades, the railway between Newport and Cardiff Central will fully close from 11:00pm on Friday, March 20 until 5:00am on Monday, March 23.
During this period, rail replacement buses will operate between the two cities.
The work will also mean fewer tracks are available during the week, leading to alterations and reduced services on routes operated by Transport for Wales, Great Western Railway and CrossCountry.
Separate engineering works between Cardiff Queen Street railway station and Cardiff Bay railway station on Sunday, March 22 will also affect some Valley Lines services.
Passengers urged to check travel plans
Nick Millington, route director for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said the upgrades were essential to maintain the safety and reliability of the railway.
“Renewing the track between Newport and Cardiff is essential to keeping this busy stretch of railway safe and reliable for the passengers and freight services that rely on it every day,” he said.
“We know this will affect journeys and we apologise for the disruption it may cause. Our teams will be working as quickly and safely as possible to complete these vital upgrades.”
Colin Lea, planning and performance director at Transport for Wales, said passengers should check their journeys in advance.
“We’re encouraging all passengers travelling between Cardiff and Newport to check their journey in advance, as many of our services will be affected throughout the weekend,” he said.
Services to destinations including Manchester, Holyhead, Cheltenham, Ebbw Vale and Maesteg may also be affected.
To help passengers travel, rail replacement buses will run approximately every five minutes between Cardiff and Newport, with staff on hand to assist customers during the disruption.
Kay Davies, station manager for Great Western Railway in south Wales, added: “Timetables have been amended for these dates, including a reduced train service between Cardiff Central and London Paddington.
“If your usual train is affected, replacement buses will be running, but please allow extra time as bus journeys will take longer than the train.”
