Major Disruption to Valleys Train Lines as Nine Days of Engineering Work Planned for South Wales Metro
A significant disruption to valleys train lines is expected at the end of September due to nine days of engineering work for the South Wales Metro project. From Saturday, September 28 to Sunday, October 6, no trains will operate from Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare, or Treherbert to Radyr for nine days, a shorter period than the previously anticipated 23 days.
Transport for Wales (TfW) is advising all customers to check before they travel during the affected days. New electric trains are scheduled to start running on the Merthyr, Aberdare, and Treherbert lines from autumn. The engineering works will involve over 30 essential tasks to enable TfW to implement an increased frequency of four trains per hour from each valley head as part of the metro plans.
Key plans during the engineering period include track and signalling upgrades at Pontypridd station, removal of the original Treforest station footbridge for preservation at a heritage railway, and track-side cleaning throughout the network. Bus services will replace trains between Treherbert, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare, and Radyr, with all train services to Cardiff Central starting and ending at Radyr. Further details on the rail replacement services and impacts can be found on the TfW website.
For those intending to use rail services for the Cardiff Half Marathon on October 6, TFW has issued advice due to the race coinciding with the engineering works. Additional bus services will run from Merthyr, Aberdare, and Treherbert, with an early morning rail service from Radyr to Cardiff before 9 am. Customer support centers will be available at Pontypridd and Radyr during this period.
In the following autumn, TfW anticipates significant engineering work at Cardiff Queen Street Station, affecting several lines, with no rail services on some routes from October 27 to November 3. Passengers are urged to stay informed as rail replacement buses or ticket acceptance with bus operators will be in place. The ticket office at Cardiff Queen Street station will remain open for passengers’ convenience.
Overall, the upcoming engineering work signifies progress towards enhanced transport infrastructure in South Wales, though temporary inconveniences are expected for rail users in the region.