Passengers travelling across North Wales and the Borders are being urged to plan ahead later this month as Network Rail delivers a significant programme of engineering upgrades aimed at improving the railway's reliability, resilience and long-term performance.
The extensive works will take place from the night of Sunday 16 August until Sunday 30 August 2026, with the railway reopening on Monday 31 August.
As part of the programme, the line between Bidston and Wrexham General will be closed for the duration of the works, while services between Wrexham General and Shrewsbury will also be affected at various points during the blockade.
The investment is focused on improving infrastructure that has been vulnerable to flooding and extreme weather, while also delivering a series of track, signalling and structural upgrades designed to provide passengers and freight operators with a more reliable railway.
Tackling Flooding Hotspots
A major element of the work will take place near Gobowen, where engineers will replace an ageing syphon and install the first automated trash screen on the Wales and Borders route.
The innovative system, powered by both water and solar energy, will automatically remove branches, weeds and litter before they can block drainage channels. The technology is expected to significantly reduce flooding risks and improve operational reliability during periods of heavy rainfall.
Additional Improvements Across the Route
Alongside the drainage enhancements, engineers will carry out a range of projects across the corridor, including:
- Babbinswood: Renewal of more than one kilometre of drainage pipework to improve resilience against extreme weather.
- Hawarden Swing Bridge: Structural repairs, track replacements, waterproofing works and completion of brickwork repairs to strengthen the structure and improve long-term reliability.
- Route-wide improvements: Track renewals, level crossing upgrades, rail stressing and signalling enhancements between Shotwick, Dee Marsh Junction, Weston Rhyn, Ruabon and Burton.
By delivering multiple projects during the same closure period, Network Rail aims to reduce the need for future planned disruption while maximising the value of the investment.
The improvements have been scheduled ahead of the autumn period, traditionally associated with increased weather-related challenges, helping to strengthen the railway against flooding, improve safety and reduce delays for passengers and freight services.
Nick Millington, Route Director for Network Rail Wales and Borders route, said:
"This is a significant investment in the railway across North Wales and the Borders that will deliver long-term benefits for passengers and freight customers."
"Much of the work is focused on improving drainage and replacing ageing infrastructure at locations that have experienced repeated flooding. These upgrades will make the railway more resilient to extreme weather, helping to reduce delays and improve reliability for years to come.
"We've also planned a wide range of additional improvements during the closure to make the very best use of the time available and reduce the need for future disruption.
"The programme has been scheduled to begin after the 2026 FA Community Shield in Cardiff, allowing supporters travelling to and from the match to do so before the railway closes. We'd like to thank passengers for their patience and encourage everyone travelling during the closure to plan ahead and check before they travel."
Image credit: Network Rail
