**Cardiff’s Ty Glas Railway Station to Shut for Extensive Modernisation until 2026**
Rail users in North Cardiff are set to face significant disruption as Transport for Wales (TfW) has confirmed the long-term closure of Ty Glas railway station, starting from Saturday, 19 July. This closure, which is expected to last approximately ten months, forms part of a major programme of works supporting the much-anticipated South Wales Metro upgrade.
The popular Ty Glas station, situated in the Llanishen area, will not be available to passengers again until at least mid-2026. The extended shutdown is aimed at allowing for essential improvements that will enable the station to accommodate the introduction of new tri-mode electric trains on the Coryton line—a central feature of the Metro project.
A spokesperson from TfW emphasised that the closure is vital for both passenger safety and future growth, given the arrival of more advanced, quieter rolling stock. Chief Infrastructure Officer, Dan Tipper, explained, “Closing Ty Glas temporarily, along with its associated level crossing, is necessary to ensure we can safely run the new electric trains. The quieter vehicles bring clear benefits for the environment and efficiency but also require higher safety standards, especially at crossings where both pedestrian and rail traffic interact.”
Part of the upgrade at Ty Glas includes lengthening the platform by 16 metres, accommodating longer trains and increased capacity. At the same time, the level crossing will see substantial safety enhancements. The works will involve replacing the crossing’s floor and constructing a new pathway that directly links the station to the crossing, reducing risk for those traversing the tracks.
While the level crossing is forecast to reopen sooner after its upgrades, the station’s overall closure is expected to endure for close to a year. During this period, train users are being advised to use Birchgrove station, located roughly a 10-minute walk away. Meanwhile, pedestrians who need to cross the railway while the crossing is closed are encouraged to use the Caerphilly Road bridge as an alternative.
These upgrades are not taking place in isolation but are part of a much larger infrastructure development. The Coryton and Rhymney lines, along with routes to Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, and Treherbert, are all undergoing electrification as part of the South Wales Metro scheme. The ambitious project is designed to create a more integrated, efficient, and sustainable public transport network, uniting trains, buses, and trams across the region’s Core Valleys Lines. More than 170 kilometres of track are currently being electrified, and station refurbishments and the construction of new stations continue apace.
TfW’s programme currently represents one of the largest rail investments ever undertaken in Wales. Backers of the project suggest that, while the immediate inconvenience is significant, passengers, local residents, and businesses stand to benefit in the long term through better services, greater accessibility, and improved travel safety.
Members of the public seeking updates on the Ty Glas works or broader Metro project can access regular information via Transport for Wales channels and dedicated newsletters. Social media and local authority communications are also being utilised to help passengers plan alternative travel arrangements and stay informed about the latest developments.
With the works commencing at the height of summer, residents are bracing for the inconvenience, but many acknowledge the necessity of the improvements. “It is disruptive, but the prospect of more reliable, faster, and greener trains is a positive for our community,” commented a local commuter at Ty Glas. As Metro’s 21st-century ambitions gather pace, all eyes will be on how smoothly the works proceed and when the new electric fleet starts rolling through Cardiff’s upgraded stations.