Rail Line to Close as Buses Replace Trains Between Port Talbot and Swansea

Train services between Port Talbot Parkway and Swansea will be suspended for nearly two weeks at the end of January and start of February, with buses replacing trains while major engineering work is carried out on the line.

Network Rail will close the railway from Monday 26 January to Friday 6 February, and again for the full day on Sunday 8 February, to allow engineers to work continuously on upgrades near Landore Viaduct, close to Swansea Football Stadium. The closure is required to ensure the work can be completed safely.

The programme includes renewing rails, sleepers, switches, crossings and points, alongside refurbishment of Landore Viaduct, which carries the railway over the River Tawe. Network Rail said the upgrades are essential to maintaining a safe, reliable and resilient railway for both passenger and freight traffic.

During the closures, services operated by Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway into West Wales will be disrupted. Rail replacement buses will operate between Port Talbot Parkway and Swansea throughout the works, with onward connections to surrounding stations.

Replacement buses will run between Port Talbot, Swansea and Llanelli for the duration of the project, although arrangements will vary by date, particularly for passengers travelling via Gowerton. Great Western Railway services to and from London will instead start and finish at Port Talbot, operating to revised timetables. Heart of Wales Line services will run to and from Carmarthen, with additional changes on 27 January, while services between Llanelli, Carmarthen and Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Fishguard Harbour will also operate amended timetables. Swansea station will remain open, providing access to ticket offices, toilets and refreshments.

Further changes are planned over the weekend of Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February, when buses will replace trains between Cardiff Central, Bridgend and Swansea, and Maesteg to Cardiff services will call at all local stations between Cardiff and Bridgend. On Sunday 8 February, replacement buses will operate between Cardiff, Bridgend and Port Talbot.

Passengers are being advised to check their journeys before travelling, as journey times may be longer and connections different from normal. The latest information will be available through the Transport for Wales website and app, journey planners, station notices and on the National Rail website.

Nick Millington, Route Director at Network Rail Wales and Borders said:

“We’re carrying out vital track renewal work and refurbishing Landore Viaduct near Swansea to improve the reliability of the railway for passenger and freight services. To complete this work safely, we need to close the railway between Port Talbot Parkway and Swansea from Monday 26 January to Friday 6 February, and again all day on Sunday 8 February, with buses replacing trains during this time. This work has been planned well in advance, and we’ve been working closely with train operators to ensure alternative travel arrangements are in place for passengers. We’re sorry for the disruption this will cause and would like to thank passengers for their patience while we complete these essential improvements.”

Colin Lea, Transport for Wales Planning and Performance Director said:

“These essential works by Network Rail are an important investment in making the railway more reliable for years to come. We know that any disruption can be frustrating, and we’re really grateful to our customers for bearing with us while this vital work is carried out.”

Image: Network Rail