Network Rail has unveiled further details of a £25 million investment programme that will transform the North Wales Coast railway, delivering a package of infrastructure renewals and upgrades during a four-week closure in January and February 2027.
Described as a "once-in-a-generation" programme, the work will take place across the route between Chester and Holyhead, targeting key assets that in some cases have been in service for more than half a century.
The extensive programme is designed to improve reliability, increase resilience, enhance safety and support growing passenger and freight demand on one of Wales' most important rail corridors.
To enable engineers to complete the work safely and efficiently, the North Wales Coast Line will close from Saturday 9 January until Saturday 6 February 2027.
For the first three weeks, services will be suspended between Chester and Holyhead, including the Conwy Valley Line and the branch between Llandudno Junction and Llandudno. During the final week, the closure will be reduced to the section between Llandudno Junction and Holyhead.
Network Rail said it has already shortened the disruption between Chester and Llandudno Junction from four weeks to three and continues to work with industry partners to minimise the impact on passengers and local communities.
Rail replacement services will operate throughout the closure period, with detailed travel arrangements expected to be confirmed in autumn 2026.
The significant investment package will deliver upgrades across multiple locations on the route, including:
- Renewal of track through the historic Grade I-listed Conwy Tubular Railway Bridge, where existing track dates back to 1978.
- Major track and drainage improvements within Bodorgan Tunnel, replacing infrastructure installed in 1972 and reducing flood risk.
- Track renewal and ground stabilisation works at Penmaenbach, where parts of the railway were last renewed in 1986.
- Track and points improvements at Holyhead and Llandudno.
- Platform enhancements at Llandudno Junction.
- Upgrades at four level crossings east of Bangor.
- Approximately £1.4 million of vegetation management at nine locations, alongside extensive maintenance activity across the route.
- Installation of two fully accessible footbridges at Prestatyn and Abergele, supporting the closure of four high-risk level crossings.
The project represents one of the largest rail engineering programmes undertaken in North Wales in recent years.
Engineers will utilise 22 engineering trains and specialist on-track plant to deliver the work, bringing in:
- More than 3,000 concrete sleepers.
- Around 9,000 tonnes of ballast.
- Removal of approximately 9,800 tonnes of spoil for recycling and reuse on future rail projects.
Network Rail said consolidating years' worth of renewals and maintenance into a single intensive blockade will reduce the need for recurring weekend possessions and minimise long-term disruption for passengers, freight operators and local businesses.
The investment also follows the introduction of the new North Wales timetable in May 2026, which delivered a 50% increase in Transport for Wales services, marking the most significant timetable enhancement in the region for a generation.
As more trains now operate on the route, the blockade will also provide an opportunity to carry out additional maintenance works alongside major renewals, helping future-proof the railway for growing demand.
Emma Osborn, Passenger Strategy Director at Network Rail Wales and Borders route, said:
"This is a once-in-a-generation investment in the North Wales Coast railway and a huge opportunity to renew and improve infrastructure right across this vital route.
“Investment on this scale inevitably means some temporary disruption while we carry out the work, and we recognise closing the railway will have an impact on customers and communities.
“But by bringing years’ worth of complex work together into one intensive programme, we can deliver it more safely and efficiently, while avoiding a prolonged series of disruptive weekend closures.
“The long-term benefits for passengers and freight customers will far outweigh this temporary disruption, with a safer, more reliable railway that is better equipped to support the increased number of services now running across North Wales.
“We’re working closely with Transport for Wales and Avanti West Coast to keep passengers moving and we thank everyone in advance for their patience while we deliver this major investment.”
Image credit: Network Rail
