Train passengers are being warning of major disruption this week because of industrial action and emergency maintenance work causing train shortages. The Transport for Wales advice is to check before you travel.
A reduced timetable is likely throughout the week and racegoers heading to the Cheltenham Races on Thursday are being advised to seek alternative travel. The company has temporarily withdrawn a number of its Class 175 trains to allow additional maintenance checks to be carried out following some recent mechanical issues and reported fires in some trains. Read more about the safety checks here.
It had been hoped that all the trains would be back in service by last Friday, but safety checks are "still ongoing" which means disruption for the rest of the week.
A statement from the company said: "Disruption is likely across the Wales and Borders network, not just on those routes served by the Class 175s, as trains are moved to provide capacity where demand is highest. Customers are asked to check before they travel. This includes first and last trains and any ferry connections to ensure sufficient time is allowed."
Routes affected by the changes are:
- Newport - Crosskeys – service cancelled (no rail replacement).
- Chester-Liverpool – service cancelled (Merseyrail ticket acceptance).
- Conwy Valley Line – service cancelled (rail replacement).
- Wrexham-Bidston Line – service cancelled with rail replacement buses.
- West Wales lines – some services to Pembroke Dock (w/c 13/03) cancelled with rail replacement buses.
- All Milford Haven and Fishguard services cancelled west of Carmarthen - majority of services will have rail replacement buses.
- Cambrian Coast – early morning Barmouth service cancelled, with rail replacement buses.
- Core Valley Lines – reduced service on some routes.
Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde, chief operations officer at TfW, said: “The safety of our customers and colleagues remains our priority and it is important that all the necessary checks and repairs have been completed on each of our Class 175 trains before being allowed back into service.
"The Class 175s are maintained on our behalf by CAF at their depot in Chester, and while we have this shortage of rolling stock, we are moving trains around the network to try and minimise the impact on the busiest routes. We’re very sorry for any disruption to customers’ journeys while we work to carry out the repairs as quickly as possible.”
As well as a shortage of trains, industrial action is due to be held on Thursday, March 16 and Saturday, March 18, meaning there will be a severely-reduced timetable on many services.
The action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime, and Transport Workers (RMT) has been suspended but there will be strike action at 14 train operating companies, not including Transport for Wales, on those days.
Some services are also likely to be extremely busy as a result of the severely-reduced timetable put in place by other operators. Mr Chaudhry-Van der Velde added: “Strike action at 14 Train Operating Companies will still go ahead as planned. This will include station staff who are responsible for key operational roles such as train dispatch. As a result, we’re not able to provide some services at certain times to stations managed by the affected operators.”
Timetable changes due to industrial action:
- Services between Chester and Liverpool will not run.
- Services will not call at Wilmslow.
- Services calling at Stockport will be set down only towards Manchester and pick up only towards Crewe.
- Before 9.15am and after 9.15pm - services between south Wales and Cheltenham will terminate at Lydney
- Before 7am and after 7pm - services between north Wales and Manchester will terminate at Chester.
- Services on the Marches Line will terminate at Shrewsbury.
- Services to Birmingham International will terminate at Birmingham New Street.
Passengers travelling to Cheltenham Festival on Thursday are advised to seek alternative travel arrangements as services to Cheltenham between 9.15am and 9.15pm will be limited and very busy. Gloucester station will be closed all day.
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