Editor‘Plan ahead’ warning for Christmas train travellers as rail repair work to cause closures and delays
No trains on Christmas Day and Boxing Day
There will be no train services or rail replacement buses running on 25 and 26 December. Services will also finish earlier than usual on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and start later on 27 December.
West Wales hit by engineering works
In Pembrokeshire, the line between Whitland, Haverfordwest and Milford Haven will be closed from 29 December through New Year’s Day. Families heading home after Christmas will need to find alternative routes.
Disruption for Bridgend and Valleys passengers
In Bridgend County, trains to Maesteg will be reduced to a shuttle service between Bridgend and Maesteg. Meanwhile, engineering west of Cardiff Central between 24 and 31 December means passengers from Swansea and Neath Port Talbot could face retimed trains, diversions via Ninian Park and platform changes at Cardiff Central.
January closure in Mountain Ash
The disruption continues into the New Year. From 4 to 24 January, the Aberdare line to Pontypridd will be closed while safety‑critical repairs are carried out on an embankment at Mountain Ash.
Bus services also affected
Fflecsi and TrawsCymru buses will finish earlier on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, with no services at all on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day.
A small festive boost
TrawsCymru’s £1 evening fare after 5pm runs throughout December, offering cheap travel for festive nights out across South West Wales.
“Planning ahead has never been more important”
Marie Daly, Chief Operating Officer at Transport for Wales, said:
“With essential engineering work taking place, planning ahead has never been more important. Our dedicated teams will be working throughout the festive season to keep services running across the Wales & Borders network and get passengers safely to their destinations.”
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Louise Locock