**Cardiff Residents Voice Concerns Over Noisy Rail Works During Critical Exam Period**
Residents in the Cardiff suburb of Cyncoed have raised concerns over ongoing night-time railway works coinciding with the peak of exam season, sparking fears about the impact on pupils preparing for GCSE and A-level assessments. The works, part of the broader South Wales Metro upgrade, are being carried out by Transport for Wales (TfW) and are centred on the Coryton rail line between Highfield Road and Monthermer Road.
The maintenance and electrification of the Coryton line, which forms an essential part of the transformation of the region’s rail network, have been ongoing for several months. However, the latest phase—track replacement scheduled each night from 8.30pm, Saturday through Wednesday, over a five-week stretch—has caused a particular stir amongst the local community. The timing, directly overlapping with students’ exam timetables, is a key point of frustration for many households.
Parents in the area, such as Matt, a Cyncoed resident, expressed deep concern about how the works could disrupt their children’s ability to rest, especially during a period already fraught with pressure and stress. Reflecting on previous phases of the project, Matt recalled occasions where night-time activities such as pile driving and chainsaw use disturbed both him and his son, who is currently sitting his GCSEs. “Usually, teenagers can sleep through just about anything,” he remarked, “but during the last set of works, the noise was enough to wake everyone—windows closed or not.”
When questioned regarding the timing and execution of these works, TfW justified their schedule by citing safety requirements. According to a TfW spokesperson, track replacement is “safety critical” and cannot be performed while trains are operational, necessitating overnight working hours. The company has said it aims to minimise noise pollution by utilising acoustic barriers and claims to be responsive to residents’ concerns through direct communication channels.
Yet, those living closest to the construction areas remain wary. One Cyncoed parent, who asked not to be named, explained that while recent periods of work had not been as disruptive, memory of earlier sessions lingered. “The pile driving was especially hard to bear. It was so intense that the garden felt as though it was shaking. I ended up seeking refuge elsewhere just to get a proper night’s sleep,” she shared.
Other residents highlighted that disruption is not just limited to noise, but includes powerful lighting deployed for safety which also interrupts normal sleep patterns. One local commented, “You’ve got the noise, you’ve got the bright lights. I’m fortunate not to have children taking exams at the moment, but I feel for families who do.”
TfW maintains the improvements will bring significant long-term benefits, including the introduction of quieter, cleaner electric trains across several key lines serving South Wales. The scheme extends beyond the Coryton line to include routes to Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney, and Treherbert. Electrification covers 170km of track, all part of efforts to upgrade rail services under the South Wales Metro project.
Even as residents acknowledge the future positives promised by the upgrade—particularly quieter trains and more reliable services—many remain exasperated by the current disturbance. “We were told these changes would be positive, but that hasn’t matched up with our experience so far,” a local parent remarked, echoing a widespread sentiment in Cyncoed.
With children’s exams continuing throughout June, families in the affected areas are hopeful that both TfW and Cardiff Council—who have been approached for comment on parental concerns—will consider future works to align more sensitively with critical periods such as national exams. In the meantime, residents say they are left coping with the immediate reality of sleepless nights and the challenge of ensuring their children are able to perform to the best of their abilities despite the unrest.
Anyone living close to the railway and affected by the ongoing works is encouraged by TfW to reach out directly to their customer relations team for advice or support as the project continues. The community now awaits further updates from both the rail operator and local authorities regarding mitigation of such disruptions in the future.