Rail disruption in March announced

Rail users in Newtown are bracing for more disruption in March as an essential maintenance project will see the closure of the line for 16 days.

Beginning on Monday, March 17th, the closure will allow Network Rail engineers to undertake a series of vital tasks along the Cambrian Railway Line.

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As part of a £15 million investment, the engineers will focus on track and drainage renewals, bridge renewal, embankment work, vegetation management, and track maintenance.

Buses will replace trains between various locations during the maintenance period:

• Between Newtown and Aberystwyth until 9am on Friday, March 21st
• Between Machynlleth and Pwllheli until 9am on Friday, March 21st
• Between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth from 6pm on Friday, March 21st until Wednesday, April 2nd

Network Rail and Transport for Wales (TfW) collaborated to condense the necessary work into this 16-day window, eliminating the need for further disruptions over the next three years.

In a statement, it was stated that "Closing the railway for this period will allow Network Rail to bring forward work scheduled for 2026 and 2027 and deliver multiple key projects at once, minimising future disruption and saving £1.5 million in the process."

During this time, Network Rail engineers will focus on various tasks, including track renewals, maintenance, embankment strengthening, bridge renewals, and vegetation clearance.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, stated, "The scale of the work being carried is significant, with £15 million and thousands of hours of work being invested into improving the Cambrian line."

Maintaining the safety and reliability of the train services along this route, upgrades at Machynlleth station are expected to pave the way for the introduction of TfW’s new Class 197 trains.

Passengers are urged to check their travel plans at www.journeycheck.com/tfwrail or www.nationalrail.co.uk.