A Welsh railway line is set to shut for four weeks next year as part of what has been described as a “once in a generation” investment programme. More than £25m is to be pumped into the North Wales Coast railway during January and February 2027.
Network Rail announced it will undertake a substantial programme of upgrades aimed at improving reliability, capacity and safety along this crucial passenger and freight corridor.
Engineers will be deployed at various points along the route between Chester and Holyhead, replacing track and other infrastructure – some of which has been in place for over 50 years.
To ensure this extensive package of works can be carried out safely and efficiently, the line will shut for four weeks from Saturday, January 9, until Saturday, February 6, 2027, reports North Wales Live.
During the first three weeks, the railway will be closed between Chester and Holyhead, including the Conwy Valley line and Llandudno Junction to Llandudno. In the fourth week, the closure will be scaled back to between Llandudno Junction and Holyhead.
Network Rail has collaborated with its engineering teams to shorten the Chester to Llandudno Junction closure from four weeks to three, and continues to work alongside industry partners to minimise disruption for passengers and local communities.
Rail replacement services will run throughout the closure period, with full travel arrangements expected to be confirmed in autumn 2026.
The £25m investment includes: work using 22 engineering trains and specialist on-track equipment; transporting more than 3,000 concrete sleepers and 9,000 tonnes of ballast; while approximately 9,800 tonnes of spoil will be removed for recycling and reuse on future railway schemes.
The investment follows the introduction of the new north Wales timetable in May 2026, which brought about a 50% increase in Transport for Wales services — the most significant timetable improvement in North Wales for a generation.
Completing such a substantial volume of complex work within a single four-week programme will reduce the need for repeated weekend closures in the months and years to come, limiting disruption for passengers, residents and local businesses.
‘Temporary disruption’
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.”
‘More reliable service’
Colin Lea, planning and performance director for Transport for Wales, said: “As we see passenger numbers and service frequencies across North Wales grow, working alongside our partners at Network Rail is essential to ensure our infrastructure can support that demand.
“Essential track maintenance, tunnel drainage, and new accessible footbridges will help deliver a more reliable service and better stations for the communities we serve.
“We know railway closures are disruptive to our passengers, and we appreciate their patience. We remain committed to keeping North Wales moving throughout January, and full details on alternative travel arrangements will be shared this Autumn.”
Chris Liptrot, operations director at Avanti West Coast, said: “While Network Rail carries out these improvements, there will be changes to services on our North Wales route.
“We are working closely with Network Rail and our industry partners to ensure customers are kept informed about how their journeys may be affected. Once the timetable has been confirmed, customers planning to travel during this period are advised to check the Avanti West Coast and National Rail Enquiries websites for the latest travel information.”
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