Cambrian line reopens following rail crash

The Cambrian line is open for normal services from today following the tragic rail accident last week, Network Rail and Transport for Wales has announced.

The investigation teams have concluded their site-based investigation, enabling Transport for Wales (TfW) engineers access to separate the two damaged trains, which are in the process of being removed from the site.

Simultaneously, Network Rail engineers have been carrying out repairs, maintenance and a series of thorough checks and safety inspections.

Safety systems on the trains that use the line continue to be regularly checked and inspected.

Test trains will run through the area to make sure everything is operating normally before beginning passenger operations on Monday.

The incident still may affect train services in the short-term and passengers should continue to check before they travel.

Safety

Nick Millington, Network Rail’s Wales & Borders route director said: “Monday night’s tragic events will forever be etched in my memory and my thoughts remain with all those affected. Thankfully, incidents like this are extremely rare on the railway network.

“We continue to operate one of the safest railway networks in Europe.

“Our engineers have been on site throughout and have conducted very thorough safety checks and we will run test trains through the area.

“I am grateful to the local community who have been very accommodating throughout this last week while we have been managing this incident.

“I would also like to thank passengers for their patience, understanding and support during the last few days as our teams have worked tirelessly to restore the railway as quickly as they could.”

Determination

Jan Chaudhry van der Velde, chief operating officer for TfW, said: “The railways in Wales have a very good safety record, so when serious incidents like this happen, we at TfW, together with our partners at Network Rail, are determined to get to the bottom of what caused it.

“For that reason, we are co-operating fully with the authorities investigating the collision, and in particular, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.

“We have worked hard to clear the trains safely from the accident site, and to carry out full safety checks and tests before reopening the line for passenger trains.

“Our condolences go to the family of the passenger who passed away, and we hope that those passengers and staff members injured in the collision make a speedy recovery.”