Passengers traveling by train in and around Cardiff on Easter Sunday are facing significant disruptions due to urgent repairs being conducted on a bridge near Cardiff Central. The scheduled repairs have led to the cancellation and revision of numerous train services, with replacement buses being arranged to accommodate affected passengers. The issues are impacting services operated by major companies including Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales, and CrossCountry.
The bridge fault, situated between Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street, has resulted in the suspension of all train services between Cardiff Central and Newport. National Rail has issued a warning of major delays throughout Easter Sunday as a result of the ongoing repairs. Replacement transportation services are being provided to ensure passengers reach their destinations despite the disruptions.
Various routes have been affected by the bridge issue, with disruptions reported on lines operated by CrossCountry between Nottingham, Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, and Cardiff Central. Great Western Railway services between Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff Central, as well as between Bristol Parkway and Swansea, have also been impacted. Additionally, Transport for Wales routes between Cardiff Central and various destinations including Cardiff Bay, Ebbw Vale Town, Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare, and Treherbert have experienced disruptions.
Engineers are currently on-site working on rectifying the bridge defect at Cardiff Queen Street. Network Rail Wales and Borders and Transport for Wales are coordinating efforts to manage the disruptions and provide alternative transportation options for affected passengers. Road replacement transport has been arranged between Cardiff Central and Caerphilly, as well as for stations along the Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, and Radyr route due to the unavailability of train services in that section.
Ticket acceptance arrangements with Cardiff Bus and Stagecoach on local services have been put in place to assist passengers, and rail replacement buses between Cardiff Central and Newport are being deployed to aid customers in completing their journeys. Passengers planning to travel on long-distance services to and from Cardiff Central are advised to check for the latest travel updates and anticipate potential disruptions.
National Rail has urged passengers to stay updated with the latest disruption information before commencing their journeys. Efforts are being made to minimize inconvenience to rail users, with ongoing safety examinations being conducted by engineers. Rail users are encouraged to stay informed and check for updates as the situation progresses.
In conclusion, the disruptions in train services around Cardiff on Easter Sunday due to urgent bridge repairs emphasize the importance of proactive communication and alternative transportation arrangements to ensure minimal disruption to passengers’ travel plans.