TRAIN passengers face ongoing disruption for a second consecutive day after a grassfire near the railway line between Newport and Cardiff Central damaged critical infrastructure over the weekend.
The fire, which broke out on an embankment close to an electrical substation, caused significant damage to overhead lines and signalling equipment. Although emergency repairs have been underway, some of the affected overhead electric wires are yet to be fully restored.
In a statement issued on Monday evening, Great Western Railway (GWR) confirmed that services would continue to operate on a reduced timetable until at least the end of Tuesday. “We still need to complete repairs to some of the overhead electric wires,” the operator said, advising passengers to check before they travel.
As a result, GWR will run only one train per hour between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central via Newport. The disruption is affecting a number of key routes, with limited services or full cancellations in place.
The routes currently impacted include:
- GWR services from the West Country to Cardiff Central
- GWR services from Portsmouth, Southampton, Salisbury and Westbury to Cardiff Central
- GWR services between London Paddington and Carmarthen
- GWR services from South Wales to Bristol Parkway, Swindon and Reading
Transport for Wales has also confirmed widespread disruption to its services. Trains between Cardiff Central and Ebbw Vale have been suspended, while services between Holyhead and Cardiff Central will not operate between Shrewsbury and Cardiff. Additionally, the route between Cardiff Central and Manchester Piccadilly will not run between Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly.
Rail passengers are urged to check the latest travel updates before setting off, and to allow extra time for their journeys as engineers continue to carry out essential repairs.
