The Cambrian line in Newtown is set to open for normal services from Monday after the recent rail accident, as confirmed by Network Rail and Transport for Wales today.
The tragic incident earlier this week had led to a temporary disruption in the rail operations.
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The investigation teams have concluded their on-site examination, allowing Transport for Wales (TfW) engineers access to separate and remove the two damaged trains involved in the accident. Network Rail engineers have also been diligently performing repairs, maintenance, and safety inspections to ensure the resumption of services.
Safety systems on the trains that utilize the Cambrian line will continue to undergo regular checks and inspections. Test trains will be conducted to ensure all systems are functioning optimally before scheduled passenger operations on Monday.
Nick Millington, Network Rail’s Wales & Borders route director, said:
“Monday night’s tragic events will forever be etched in my memory and my thoughts remain with all those affected. Thankfully, incidents like this are extremely rare on the railway network. We continue to operate one of the safest railway networks in Europe.
“Our engineers have been on site throughout and have conducted very thorough safety checks and we will run test trains through the area.
“I am grateful to the local community who have been very accommodating throughout this last week while we have been managing this incident.
“I would also like to thank passengers for their patience, understanding and support during the last few days as our teams have worked tirelessly to restore the railway as quickly as they could.”
Jan Chaudhry van der Velde, chief operating officer for Transport for Wales, said:
“The railways in Wales have a very good safety record, so when serious incidents like this happen, we at TfW, together with our partners at Network Rail, are determined to get to the bottom of what caused it. For that reason, we are co-operating fully with the authorities investigating the collision, and in particular, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.
“We have worked hard to clear the trains safely from the accident site, and to carry out full safety checks and tests before reopening the line for passenger trains.
“Our condolences go to the family of the passenger who passed away, and we hope that those passengers and staff members injured in the collision make a speedy recovery.”
While efforts are underway to resume normal operations, there may be some short-term disruptions in train services. Passengers are advised to stay updated on the situation and check for any travel advisories before planning their journeys.
