No Trains to Run on Major Line for Nine Days to Make Way for South Wales Metro
Major disruption is on the horizon for valleys train lines at the end of September as nine days of engineering work are scheduled to pave the way for the South Wales Metro, affecting services in the region. The engineering work, which will run from Saturday, September 28 to Sunday, October 6, will see no trains operating from Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare, or Treherbert to Radyr for nine days. This revised timeline is shorter than the previously expected 23-day disruption.
Transport for Wales (TfW) is advising all passengers to check before travelling during the affected period. The upcoming introduction of new electric trains on the Merthyr, Aberdare, and Treherbert lines is part of the metro plans. Over the nine days of engineering works, more than 30 pieces of essential engineering work will be carried out to enable TfW to increase the train frequency to four trains per hour from the head of each valley.
Among the planned works are significant track and signalling upgrades at Pontypridd station, the removal of the original Treforest station footbridge for donation to a heritage railway, and cleaning works along the tracks network. Bus services will replace trains between Treherbert, Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare, and Radyr, with trains to Cardiff Central starting and finishing at Radyr.
In preparation for the Cardiff Half Marathon on October 6, TfW has issued travel advice for participants and spectators. Additional bus services will run from Merthyr, Aberdare, and Treherbert, along with an early morning rail service from Radyr to Cardiff before 9 am. Customer support services will be available at Pontypridd and Radyr stations to assist passengers during the disruption.
Looking ahead to the autumn, TfW has also indicated significant engineering work at Cardiff Queen Street Station will take place. From Sunday, October 27 to Sunday, November 3, no rail services will operate on the Coryton, Rhymney, or Penarth lines, affecting passengers. TfW advises travellers to anticipate rail replacement buses or ticket acceptance with bus operators during this period. The ticket office at Cardiff Queen Street station will remain open to support passengers with ticketing and service information.
The ongoing commitment to infrastructure improvements will bring long-term benefits to the South Wales Metro network, but passengers are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly and stay informed about the service changes.