Network Rail will carry out essential upgrades west of Cardiff Central station between 24 and 31 December to maintain a safe and reliable railway for passengers.

The work will focus on the track infrastructure, including rails, sleepers, switches, crossings, and points, which are critical for guiding trains safely from one line to another. Teams will use a combination of handheld and mechanical tools, supported by task lighting for safe overnight working.

The project will run continuously from 23:30 on Wednesday 24 December to 04:00 on Wednesday 31 December. Additional work is planned from 23:30 on Saturday 3 January to 09:00 on Sunday 4 January. The upgrades will require the closure of some tracks through Cardiff Central, and passengers may experience timetable changes affecting journeys across the wider rail network. Passengers are advised to check the latest travel information before setting off.

Great Western Railway (GWR) services will be affected as follows: on weekends, trains between London Paddington and Cardiff Central, Swansea, and Carmarthen may run up to two minutes earlier or later than usual. Some services will be diverted between Cardiff Central and Bridgend via Ninian Park, without stopping there, which may add a few minutes to journey times. Calling times between Cardiff Central and Swansea or Carmarthen will also be slightly adjusted.

Transport for Wales (TfW) services will also be impacted. Maesteg services will operate a shuttle between Bridgend and Maesteg, while all services west of Cardiff Central will call at all stations where possible, divert via Ninian Park (non-stop), and run through Cardiff platform 4. Passengers travelling between Cardiff, Hereford, and Shrewsbury, or between Bridgend, Swansea, and Carmarthen, should check timetables as departure times may differ. Most services previously running between Ebbw Vale Town and Maesteg will now operate only between Ebbw Vale Town and Newport, with a significantly reduced service between Ebbw Vale Town and Cardiff Central, potentially requiring a change at Newport.

Passengers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys during the upgrade period.

Image: Network Rail