Rail passengers face two weeks of disruption during major north Wales upgrades

Mark Mansfield

Rail passengers are being warned to expect two weeks of disruption as major engineering work takes place across north Wales and the Borders this month.

Lines between Bidston and Wrexham General will close from August 16 to 30, while services between Wrexham and Shrewsbury will also be affected.

The railway is due to reopen on Monday, August 31.

Network Rail said the programme would include work to tackle sections of the route which have repeatedly flooded during heavy rainfall, as well as track, signalling and structural improvements.

Near Gobowen, engineers will replace an ageing syphon and install the first automated trash screen on the Wales and Borders route.

The system, powered by water and solar energy, is designed to automatically remove branches, weeds and litter before they block railway drainage.

More than a kilometre of drainage pipe will also be renewed at Babbinswood in an attempt to reduce the risk of flooding during extreme weather.

Work at Hawarden Swing Bridge will include structural and brickwork repairs, waterproofing and the replacement of sections of track.

Other work is planned at Shotwick, Dee Marsh Junction, Weston Rhyn, Ruabon and Burton, including track renewals, level crossing upgrades, rail stressing and signalling improvements.

Network Rail said carrying out the projects during the same closure should reduce the need for further disruption.

Nick Millington, route director for Network Rail’s Wales and Borders route, said: “Much of the work is focused on improving drainage and replacing ageing infrastructure at locations that have experienced repeated flooding.

“These upgrades will make the railway more resilient to extreme weather, helping to reduce delays and improve reliability for years to come.

“We’ve also planned a wide range of additional improvements during the closure to make the very best use of the time available and reduce the need for future disruption.”

The programme has been scheduled to begin after the Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester City at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Sunday, August 16.

Buses will replace trains between Bidston and Wrexham General and Wrexham Central throughout the closure, with replacement services also calling at Birkenhead North for connections with Merseyrail trains to Liverpool.

From August 17 to 30, buses will also replace trains between Wrexham General and Shrewsbury, with some services extended to Chester.

Services between Crewe and Wrexham General are expected to operate approximately hourly.

Diverted

Trains connecting north Wales with Shrewsbury, Birmingham International and Cardiff Central will be diverted via Crewe, resulting in revised timetables and longer journeys.

Some public footpath crossings will also close temporarily, while barriers at Gobowen level crossing could remain down for longer while engineering trains access worksites.

Special arrangements have been made for Wrexham football supporters travelling to Cardiff for their opening game of the season on Monday, August 17.

Transport for Wales will run a 10.36pm service from Cardiff Central providing a return journey towards Wrexham via Shrewsbury, Crewe and Chester.

A replacement bus will leave Shrewsbury at 12.55am for Gobowen, Chirk and Ruabon.

Passengers travelling during the engineering works are being advised to check their journeys in advance and allow additional time.

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