Rail engineers will be carrying out ‘essential railway improvements’ on the route across three weekends this autumn
The disruption will impact TfW and GWR train services(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Rail passengers travelling between Cardiff and Bridgend will face major disruption on trains this weekend. Due to essential maintenance work, trains will not be running between the two stations on three weekends this autumn.
The line between Cardiff and Bridgend via Pontyclun will be closed from 1.20am on Saturday, September 19, until 4.05am on Monday, September 21.
To allow for further work to take place the line will then close again during the same hours from September 26 to September 28, and from October 17 to October 19. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.
Network Rail has advised passengers to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. While some services will be diverted via Barry, rail replacement buses will also be operating from the impacted stations.
An amended and reduced train service will run between Cardiff Central and Bridgend via Barry (not calling), with extended journey times.
Great Western Railway trains between London Paddington and Swansea will also run a reduced service of one train per hour. The services will operate at slightly different times to normal so passengers should check before travelling.
On Saturday the disruption will also impact Transport for Wales trains which usually run to and from Penarth, and to and from Barry. Fewer trains will be running between Cardiff Central and Barry Island and between Coryton and Penarth.
No services will be running between Caerphilly and Penarth, and trains usually travelling between Maesteg and Cardiff Central only run between Maesteg and Bridgend.
During the two September weekends the track between Pontsarn and Llanharan will be renewed. Engineers will also work to clear vegetation alongside the tracks and carry out rail and signalling testing and surveys.
During the October closure, engineers will carry out track renewal and rail replacement between Cardiff West Junction and St Fagans as well as between Miskin and Pontyclun.
Martin Taylor, chief infrastructure officer at Network Rail Wales and Borders said: “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.”
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