URGENT RAIL UPDATE – Some lines reopen but passengers urged to check for delays or cancellations as poor weather set to continue into Wednesday and Thursday

Transport for Wales issued the following travel update – Wednesday 19 February:

Whilst the situation is improving, more heavy rain is forecast so customers urged to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journey following flood damage to key routes caused by Storm Dennis

Transport for Wales’ Customer Delivery Director, Bethan Jelfs said:

“As a result of rail and road infrastructure damage and continued flooding caused by Storm Dennis, and a weather warning for further heavy rain this week we are still strongly advising all customers to check their journey arrangements prior to travel and allow plenty of time.

“The situation is changing all the time and with further weather warnings of heavy rain on Wednesday and Thursday we strongly advise customers to check for regular updates over the next couple of days before the Wales v France Six Nations rugby international in Cardiff on Saturday 22 February.

“The rail network is significantly damaged in places and with additional damage to roads and limited replacement road transport available to us, it’s inevitable that some services will be subject to disruption which will result in delays and cancellations.

“Where trains are cancelled or terminating short of destination, every effort will be made to provide a rail replacement bus service wherever possible, however with continued flooding and damage to a number of roads,  journeys may take significantly longer than is usual on many routes.

As of 8am services on following lines on Wednesday 19 February will be disrupted and a rail replacement bus service provided:

• Cardiff Valley Lines;
  • Aberdare – Abercynon, likely to be closed for a number of days due to track damage to a three-mile section, rail replacement bus service in place.
  • Treherbert – Pontypridd is likely to remain closed for the remainder of today, rail replacement bus service in place.

• Ebbw Vale – line currently closed following a landslip at Aberbeeg, which has also closed the main road. Check for regular updates.
• Abergavenny – Hereford, line currently closed, services on the Marches line will be replaced by a rail replacement bus service due to flooding.
• Conwy Valley – line closed, a rail replacement bus service will operate between Llandudno Junction & Blaenau Ffestiniog until further notice.

The following lines reopened overnight with the normal timetable in operation;

• Heart of Wales line.
• Cambrian Line – services running from Shrewsbury to Machynlleth, Machynlleth to Aberystwyth and Machynlleth to Pwllheli.

“The safety of our customers and colleagues is our absolute priority and we are working closely with Network Rail and doing all we can to minimise the disruption and keep our customers moving and informed.

“The situation is changing all the time and therefore services are likely to be disrupted with last minute alterations. Customers are advised to check their journey before travelling on nationalrail.co.uk or journeycheck.com/tfwrail/

“We would like to thank customers in advance for their patience and understanding.”