Passengers travelling across south Wales are being advised to check their journeys in advance as Network Rail prepares to deliver a significant programme of railway improvements between Cardiff and Bridgend over three weekends this autumn.
The engineering work is scheduled to take place from Saturday 19 to Monday 21 September, Saturday 26 to Monday 28 September, and Saturday 17 to Monday 19 October.
During each closure, the railway between Cardiff and Bridgend via Pontyclun will be shut from 01:20 on Saturday until 04:05 on Monday, allowing engineers to safely undertake a series of infrastructure upgrades designed to improve the safety, reliability and resilience of the route for both passenger and freight services.
Train services between Cardiff and Bridgend will be amended throughout the three weekends. Some services will operate via alternative routes, while replacement road transport will serve stations affected by the closures.
Track, Signalling and Infrastructure Upgrades Planned
The programme of work covers several locations along the route and includes track renewals, rail replacement, signalling improvements, vegetation management and structural inspections and repairs.
During the two September possessions, engineering teams will focus on renewing sections of track between Pontsarn and Llanharan. Additional work will include vegetation clearance, rail testing, signalling testing and survey activities.
The October closure will see further investment in the route, including track renewal and rail replacement between Cardiff West Junction and St Fagans, as well as between Miskin and Pontyclun.
Engineers will also undertake signalling and points renewals, vegetation management, structural repairs near Peterston and a range of essential track inspections and patrols.
Network Rail: Improving Reliability for Passengers and Freight
Martin Taylor, Chief Infrastructure Officer at Network Rail Wales and Borders, said:
“These three weekends will give our teams an important opportunity to carry out a significant package of work at locations across the railway between Cardiff and Bridgend."
“By bringing this work together while the railway is closed, our engineers can work safely and efficiently to renew and maintain the infrastructure that thousands of passengers and vital freight services rely on every day."
“We’re sorry for the disruption this will cause and would like to thank passengers and our lineside neighbours for their patience while we complete these essential improvements. Please check your journey before travelling and allow extra time.”
The work forms part of Network Rail's ongoing investment in maintaining and modernising the Wales and Borders railway, helping to ensure a safer and more dependable network for communities, businesses and freight operators across south Wales.
Image credit: Network Rail
