**Cardiff Train Passengers Face Major Disruption Due to Ongoing Bridge Repairs**
Train passengers across Cardiff and South Wales have been warned to expect significant disruption this weekend as urgent bridge repairs continue to impact services on some of the region’s busiest rail routes. The work, focused between Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street stations, has already resulted in a week of considerable inconvenience for commuters, and the disruption is expected to last through to Sunday evening.
The bridge repairs, initially scheduled to last only a few days, have proved more extensive than anticipated, forcing National Rail and Transport for Wales to extend service alterations. Despite these challenges, rail authorities state that progress has been made, with mainline services between Newport and Cardiff reportedly “largely open” following extensive repairs. Nevertheless, the ongoing bridge work has caused a ripple effect, affecting multiple routes and thousands of passengers.
A number of crucial rail links have been hit hard by the disruption. Services operating between Cardiff Central and destinations such as Manchester Piccadilly, Pontypridd, Ebbw Vale Town, and Swansea have all faced cancellations and alterations. Commuters travelling between Cardiff and Ebbw Vale Town have seen their trains delayed, cancelled, or cut short at Cardiff Central, necessitating changes to their travel plans.
Passengers needing to travel to Newport and Ebbw Vale Town are being advised to switch to available alternative rail services at Cardiff Central station, which continues to function as a critical interchange point during the repair works. However, not all journeys within the city are as straightforward: there are currently no operational train services between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay in either direction, forcing many to seek last-minute travel options.
The local rail operator has responded by putting in place a reduced timetable between Cardiff Central and the valleys towns of Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Treherbert. Trains on these routes are being diverted through Radyr, skipping stops at Llandaff, Cathays, and Cardiff Queen Street stations. This redirection is intended to keep some services running, but inevitably means many will experience longer, more complicated journeys.
To help offset the impact on travellers, replacement bus services have been introduced. Buses are now running between Caerphilly and Cardiff Central, departing every 30 minutes. Passengers should note, however, that these journeys will take longer than a typical train ride due to the road congestion often seen in and around Cardiff.
In an effort to provide additional flexibility for affected commuters, National Rail and local operators have arranged for train tickets to be used on selected local bus services without extra charge. Cardiff Bus routes 1, 1A, 2, 9, 24, 25, 27, 28, and 63 are accepting tickets, as are Stagecoach Buses operating on routes 26, 50, 51, 53 and C9. This is expected to provide some relief, though the overall passenger experience remains less than ideal.
Railway officials have apologised for the continued inconvenience and are urging passengers to check for the latest travel updates before setting out on their journeys. Regular announcements are being provided online and at main stations, while commuters are encouraged to sign up for up-to-date transport alerts to avoid unexpected delays.
This latest disruption highlights the fragile nature of key transport infrastructure in the region and the heavy reliance on regular rail services for both local residents and those commuting further afield. With bridge repair work due to continue into the weekend, affected passengers are reminded to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel, and monitor local travel advice to reduce the impact on their weekend plans.