It will affect several parts of the country
All lines will be closed through Cardiff Queen Street for two days(Image: Transport for Wales)
Significant train delays are expected in Wales this weekend. Transport for Wales is encouraging passengers to plan ahead as essential rail improvements take place across the Cardiff and valleys network.
Planned infrastructure improvements will close all lines through Cardiff Queen Street between Sunday, May 24 and bank holiday Monday, May 25.
To keep passengers moving, a combination of rail replacement buses and service diversions will operate across the Cardiff and valleys network.
Services will continue to run from Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr into Cardiff Central via the City Line (via Ninian Park) with rail replacement services travelling between Radyr and Llandaf, Cathays, Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here.
Meanwhile, Network Rail has confirmed it is set to undertake work on the Severn Tunnel that the company says will “make the route more reliable for years to come”.
The railway between Newport and Bristol Parkway or Filton Abbey Wood will be closed from Saturday, May 23, until the morning of Tuesday, June 9, with replacement services put in place.
Engineers have said they have developed an innovative new system – being installed at this scale for the first time in the world – that will significantly reduce corrosion along the Severn Tunnel, cut the need for routine maintenance and deliver a more resilient, reliable service for passengers and freight.
Elsewhere, industrial action by West Midlands Railway will affect Shrewsbury – Wolverhampton and Hereford – Birmingham routes on Friday 22 and Saturday May 23. Transport for Wales services are expected to be busier than usual as a result, and extra capacity will be in place where possible.
Passengers are also reminded of the recent timetable change that came into effect on Sunday, May 17, with some services now calling at different stations at different times.
Operations director at Transport for Wales Sarah Higgins said: “Transport for Wales will be running its normal timetable over the bank holiday weekend, but some services may be much busier than usual due to industrial action at West Midlands Railway affecting Shrewsbury–Birmingham and Hereford–Birmingham services on Friday 22 and Saturday, May 23.
“With high temperatures also forecast, customers are encouraged to take extra care when travelling, check for the latest travel information using the TfW website, mobile app, or social media channels, and to stay hydrated.”
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