Network Rail is urging passengers to check before they travel as work on the ongoing Ebbw Vale upgrade will disrupt services during spring and summer.
The Ebbw Vale line will close on three separate occasions during March and April, with further closures planned between May and July, as work continues on the entire line.
Engineers from Network Rail and principal contractor, Amco, are constructing platforms at stations at Llanhilleth, Abertillery and Newbridge, Caerphilly, and installing part of a new, fully-accessible footbridge and lifts at Llanhilleth station.
Network Rail is working with contractor Siemens to upgrade and renew signals along the line. Its internal Construction Services team will undertake substantial track work between Crosskeys and Crumlin.
The work is part of the Ebbw Vale enhancement scheme that will enable an extra hourly passenger service from Ebbw Vale to Newport. The £70m project has been funded by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council via a loan from the Welsh Government. The Department for Transport and Network Rail are providing a further £17m of funding to deliver the signalling upgrade and renewal work.
The dates of the March and April closures are:
- Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 March
- Saturday 25 to Thursday 30 March (inclusive)
- Sunday 23 April to Sunday 30 April (inclusive)
- Sunday 21 May
- Wednesday 24 May to Sunday 11 June (inclusive)
- Sunday 18 June
- Sunday 25 June
- Sunday 2 July
- Sunday 9 July
- Sunday 16 July
During these line closures, buses will replace trains between Ebbw Vale Town and Cardiff Central.
Network Rail will also close Colliery Way in Llanhilleth, opposite St Illtyd's Primary School, from 05.00 on Tuesday 27 to 05.00 on Thursday 29 March and again at the end of April (exact dates to be confirmed). This is to safely lift in the stairs and bridge for the new footbridge at Llanhilleth station. A fully signposted diversionary route will be in place during these periods.
The line previously closed for nine days in October 2022, while engineers replaced Bridge Street rail bridge in Newbridge, installed new track and regraded an embankment near Riverside Park. In addition, 53km of new signalling cable was installed, together with four trackside cabinets to house the new signalling equipment.
Network Rail is holding a ‘drop-in' event at Llanhilleth Miners' Institute on Thursday 2 March, 3.30pm – 6.30pm. This is a chance for you to come along for an update on the work taking place at Llanhilleth station and across the entire Ebbw Vale line and to ask any questions you might have. No appointment is necessary – just drop-in at a convenient time to you.
Nick Millington, interim route director at Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “It's fantastic to see the transformation of the Ebbw Vale line really taking shape after last year's huge upgrades and our continued work in 2023. This multi-million-pound investment will transform services on the line and really benefit the communities it serves.
“I would like to thank the local communities and passengers, in advance, for their patience while we safely carry out this work.”
Tom Edwards, Project Manager at Network Rail, said: “As well as enabling more frequent services in the future, it is vital that we deliver this new footbridge and lifts at Llanhilleth station to provide accessible, step-free access for those who need it.
“We know there is never a right time to carry out work of this nature but closing the line and specific roads will allow us unlimited access to the railway to safely complete this essential work.”
Guarantee that electrification is also happening for the Ebbw Vale line.
We need lifts and step free railway at chepstow railway station and Abergavenny by Transport for Wales as well