Major Rail Enhancement Works Between Wrexham & Chester to Enter Final Phase

Major rail enhancements between Wrexham and Chester will enter into its final phase next week.

The North/South Wales Enhancement project, which is being undertaken as part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan, will begin on Friday 24th March.

Funded by Welsh Government, the major rail enhancement will deliver five miles of track redoubling between Wrexham and Chester.

It is hoped that once the project is commissioned this spring, the upgrade work will allow for more frequent services and shorter journey times between Cardiff and Holyhead, subject to additional fleet being made available and limited-stop services being specified in the future.

As part of the project’s final phase, work will be undertaken on the railway between Rossett Junction and Saltney Junction, which will affect passengers travelling between Wrexham and Chester and from North Wales to Chester.

Rail replacement bus services will be in operation on the following dates:

– 9pm Friday 24th March to 11:35pm Saturday 25th March – Chester to Rhyl
– 11:35pm Saturday 25th March night to 3:55am Monday 27th March – Chester to Llandudno Junction
– 9pm Friday 24th March to 5:10am Saturday 1st April – Chester to Wrexham

Work is also underway at Broad Oak and Balderton crossing, which is due to be complete by Friday 24th March. Work will also take place on two other level crossings in the area from Saturday 25 March to Saturday 14th April.

Upgrade work on Green Lane and Pulford level crossings will see them benefit from safer, state-of-the-art obstacle detection systems. The crossings will be closed to pedestrians and road users while the upgrade work takes place, with diversionary routes in place.

Francis McGarry, route delivery director for Network Rail Wales said: “We are pleased to be delivering the final phase of the North/South Wales Enhancement project, which will unlock the potential for faster and more frequent services between Holyhead and Cardiff.

“The work will also provide greater resilience and reliability on the railway, all part of our Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger and better railway for the growing number of passengers.

“With four level crossings set to be upgraded in the area, I would like to thank road and rail users for bearing with us whilst this improvement work takes place.

“We are working closely with our partners Arriva Trains Wales, who are providing a rail replacement bus service for passengers during this essential railway upgrade work.”

Network Rail will also be delivering work between Wrexham and Bidston on Sunday 26th March. Passengers are reminded to check before they travel as some services may be affected.