Transport for Wales and Network Rail are urging passengers in south Wales to plan ahead as essential railway improvements close the line between Cardiff and Bridgend over three weekends this autumn.
The work will take place from Saturday 19 to Monday 21 September, Saturday 26 to Monday 28 September, and Saturday 17 to Monday 19 October.
During each weekend, the railway between Cardiff and Bridgend, via Pontyclun, will be closed from 01.20 on Saturday until 04.05 on Monday. Engineers will use the closures to carry out improvements intended to keep the railway safe and reliable for passenger and freight services.
Rail services between Cardiff and Bridgend will be amended over the three weekends. Some services will be diverted, while replacement road transport will operate for affected stations. Passengers are advised to allow extra time and check before travelling.
The programme covers several locations along the route, renewing sections of track and rail, carrying out signalling work, managing vegetation, and inspecting and repairing railway structures.
During the two September closures, engineers will renew track between Pontsarn and Llanharan, alongside vegetation clearance, rail testing, signalling testing and surveys.
Further improvements during the October closure will include track renewal and rail replacement between Cardiff West Junction and St Fagans, as well as between Miskin and Pontyclun. Teams will also carry out signalling and points renewal, vegetation management, structural repairs near Peterston, and essential track inspections and patrols.
Colin Lea, Planning & Performance Director for Transport for Wales, said: “We are working closely with Network Rail to support these essential railway improvements, which are vital for maintaining the safety and long-term reliability of services across South Wales.
“While the closure of the line between Cardiff and Bridgend will mean changes to weekend travel, we have arranged rail replacement buses and for some of our trains to run along different routes to keep passengers moving.
“We strongly advise everyone planning to travel over these weekends to check before they travel journey and allow extra time for their journeys.”
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.”
