EditorRail chaos hits Swansea as 12‑day shutdown begins — passengers warned to expect long delays
The closure — running from Monday 26 January to Friday 6 February, with an additional full shutdown on Sunday 8 February — has been confirmed by Network Rail, which says engineers will be working “around the clock” on the Landore Viaduct and the surrounding track.
Network Rail says the work involves renewing rails, sleepers, switches, crossings and points, as well as refurbishing the viaduct structure that carries trains over the River Tawe. The organisation describes the upgrades as “vital” to keeping services safe and reliable.
Nick Millington, Network Rail’s Wales & Borders Route Director, said the closure was unavoidable:
“We’re carrying out vital track renewal work and refurbishing Landore Viaduct to improve the reliability of the railway for passenger and freight services. To complete this work safely, we need to close the railway between Port Talbot Parkway and Swansea. We’re sorry for the disruption this will cause.”
Landore Viaduct near Swansea.com Stadium, where Network Rail engineers are carrying out vital refurbishment and track renewal work.(Image: Network Rail / J Williams)
The history of Landore Viaduct
Landore Viaduct first opened in 1850 as part of the South Wales Railway engineered by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The original structure was built largely from timber and carried trains across the River Tawe into Swansea.
The viaduct was rebuilt in the late 19th century as rail traffic increased, replacing the timber superstructure with stronger materials. Further modernisation took place in the 1970s, leaving only a handful of Brunel’s original masonry piers still visible today.
For more than 170 years, the viaduct has remained a key route for passenger and freight services travelling in and out of Swansea, linking the city to the wider South Wales Main Line.
The shutdown means no trains at all between Port Talbot Parkway and Swansea for most of the next 12 days. Both Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway say their services will be heavily affected, with replacement buses running throughout the closure.
TfW says passengers should expect longer journeys and changes to connections, with some early‑morning and late‑evening services diverted or curtailed. Services to West Wales will continue to run, but many will start or finish at different stations than usual.
Colin Lea, TfW’s Planning and Performance Director, said:
“These essential works are an important investment in making the railway more reliable for years to come. We know disruption is frustrating and we’re grateful to customers for bearing with us.”
A GWR Intercity Express Train at Swansea station during South Wales rail services.(Image: GWR)
GWR has confirmed that its London Paddington services will now start and finish at Port Talbot instead of Swansea for most of the closure period. Some trains will not run at all on Friday 6 February because rolling stock will be out of position.
Passengers travelling through Gowerton face additional disruption because a low bridge prevents full‑size coaches from serving the station. Smaller buses are being used, meaning passengers heading beyond Swansea will need to change vehicles at the station before continuing their journey.
The disruption will intensify again this coming weekend, with buses replacing trains between Cardiff, Bridgend and Swansea on Saturday 31 January and Sunday 1 February, and further changes on Sunday 8 February.
Despite the upheaval, Swansea Station itself remains open, with ticketing, toilets and refreshments available as normal.
With the closure now underway, thousands of commuters are bracing for delays, packed buses and longer journeys — and hoping the promised improvements will justify the disruption.
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