Passengers are being warned of upcoming disruption to Cambrian Line trains with engineering work set to begin in around a weeks time.

£15m will be invested into the railway, with bridge, track and drainage renewals set to be completed.

Buses will replace trains:

• Between Newtown and Aberystwyth from Monday 17 March until 9am on Friday 21 March
• Between Machynlleth and Pwllheli from Monday 17 March until 9am on Friday 21 March
• Between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth from 6pm on Friday 21 March until Wednesday 2 April

During the 16 days the line is closed, Network Rail engineers will be completing a range of work, including:

• Track renewals: Replacing the existing, life-expired track at sites between Machynlleth and Dovey Junction, and between Machynlleth and Caersws.
• Track maintenance: Carrying out essential maintenance of the track at multiple sites, including between Shrewsbury and Welshpool, and between Caersws and Newtown.
• Embankment strengthening: Stabilising the embankment next to the railway near Talerddig by installing rock netting.
• Bridge renewals: Refurbishing a railway bridge wall at Glantwymyn, between Machynlleth and Caersws.
• Vegetation clearance: Teams will cut back trees and hedges that are either diseased or overgrown and could pose a significant threat to the railway at various sites between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “We recognise there is never a good time to close the railway for a significant amount of time, but we have planned this essential work to minimise disruption as much as possible.

“To maximise efficiency and minimise future disruption, we have brought forward and included work that was scheduled to take place over the next two years.

“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.

“We would like to thank passengers for their patience – and urge them to check their journeys before they travel.”