Rail Passengers Urged To “Check Before They Travel”

Rail passengers in flood affected parts of Wales are being urged to ‘check before you travel’ as Network Rail staff work hard to keep train services running, despite severe weather conditions.

The North Wales mainline is currently open, after a ‘route proving’ exercise was successfully carried out on the line between Holyhead and Llandudno Junction following heavy rainfall in the area.

Speed restrictions remain in place around Gaerwen due to flooding, however, and the situation continues to be closely monitored, with more adverse weather forecast for the area in the coming days.

Elsewhere in North Wales, the line between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog is likely to remain closed for several days with flood waters having reached platform level at North Llanwrst station.

Meanwhile, Network Rail has investigated reports of a landslip at Llanbadarn on the Cambrian line between Aberstwyth and Birmingham International. A tree has been removed and the line has been reopened under caution.

Wales Route Managing Director, Paul McMahon said: “Network Rail is pulling out all the stops to ensure we keep passengers moving – despite the very heavy rainfall we have seen in parts of the country over the last few days.

“We’re working really hard to keep services running, but unfortunately the Conwy Valley line will be closed for several days with flood waters having reached platform level at North Llanwrst.

“Elsewhere in Wales the impact on services has been relatively limited so far. However, we are monitoring the situation very closely, and with more bad weather predicted it’s really important passengers check before they travel, via the National Rail Enquiries website or by calling 03457 48 49 50.”