Sign in Subscribe
Engineering Work

Buses replace trains on the Cambrian line in March

Sebastien Jensen

Sebastien Jensen

— 1 min read
Buses replace trains on the Cambrian line in March
Between 17 March and 2 April 2025, parts of the Cambrian line will be closed for engineering work. Photo: Network Rail.

Network Rail and Transport for Wales have announced engineering work on the Cambrian line starting mid-March, and advised passengers to 'check before they travel', as buses will replace trains on some journeys.

The work will start on Monday, 17 March 2025 and conclude on Wednesday, 2 April.

It is part of a £15 million investment in the Cambrian line, with track and bridge renewals, work to cut back overgrown trees and hedges, and embankment strengthening all scheduled for the 16-day downtime.

The programme includes work that was initially scheduled for 2026 and 2027 but was brought forward to avoid further closures over the next three years.

Buses will replace trains:

  • between Newton and Aberystwyth, starting Monday, 17 March and ending Friday, 21 March by 9:00 am;
  • between Machynlleth and Pwllheli, starting Monday, 17 March and ending Friday, 21 March by 9:00 am; and
  • Between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth starting Friday, 21 March at 6:00 pm and ending Wednesday, 2 April.
"We recognise there is never a good time to close the railway for a significant amount of time, but we have planned this essential work to minimise disruption as much as possible.

"To maximise efficiency and minimise future disruption, we have brought forward and included work that was scheduled to take place over the next two years.

"The scale of the work being carried is significant, with £15 million and thousands of hours of work being invested into improving the Cambrian line.

"We would like to thank passengers for their patience – and urge them to check their journeys before they travel."

Nick Millington, Route Director, Wales and Borders, Network Rail

The Cambrian line is a rural route that stretches west from Shrewsbury, before splitting at Dovey Junction to Pwllheli in the north and Aberystwyth in the south. Its services are operated by Transport for Wales.

The Network Rail national helpline is available on 03457 11 41 41 for affected passengers and communities looking for more information about the work.

Read more