Passengers are being advised to check their journeys in advance as sections of the Cambrian line will be closed for 16 days from Monday, 17 March, to Wednesday, 2 April, to allow for essential engineering work.
As part of a GBP 15 million investment in the railway, Network Rail engineers will undertake a range of upgrades, including track and drainage renewals, a bridge renewal, embankment stabilisation, vegetation management, and general track maintenance at multiple sites along the route.
Cambrian line rail replacement services
During this period, rail replacement buses will operate as follows:
- Monday 17 March – 9am, Friday 21 March: Between Newtown and Aberystwyth, and between Machynlleth and Pwllheli.
- 6pm, Friday 21 March – Wednesday 2 April: Between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth.
Network Rail and Transport for Wales (TfW) have collaborated to maximise the volume of work undertaken during the closure, reducing the need for an additional eight days of disruption over the next three years. This approach will also enable work originally planned for 2026 and 2027 to be completed earlier, saving GBP 1.5 million in costs.
The planned works include:
- Track renewals – Replacement of life-expired track between Machynlleth and Dovey Junction, and between Machynlleth and Caersws.
- Track maintenance – Essential maintenance at multiple sites, including between Shrewsbury and Welshpool, and between Caersws and Newtown.
- Embankment strengthening – Installation of rock netting to stabilise the embankment near Talerddig.
- Bridge renewals – Refurbishment of a railway bridge wall at Glantwymyn, between Machynlleth and Caersws.
- Vegetation clearance – Removal of diseased or overgrown trees and hedges posing a risk to the railway at various sites between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth.
These upgrades aim to ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of services along the Cambrian line. Additionally, the track renewal at Machynlleth station will support the introduction of TfW’s new Class 197 trains.
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