Fans warning over railway works

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_east/8029032.stm

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Rugby fans flocking to the Welsh capital over the bank holiday weekend are being warned to give themselves plenty of time to travel.

Around 55,000 fans are anticipated to head for Cardiff's Millennium Stadium for Sunday's Heineken Cup semi-final.

In addition to city centre road closures, engineering work means some rail services will be hit.

Replacement buses will be replacing weekend trains on the Vale of Glamorgan line.

Simon Turton, for Arriva Trains Wales said: "The effect of the number of engineering works taking place on Sunday will mean that capacity on all services is likely to be extremely limited."

The train operator said that buses will replace trains on Vale of Glamorgan services between Cardiff Central, Barry Island, Penarth and Bridgend.

Services between the Cardiff Valleys and Cardiff will terminate at Cardiff Central and replacement buses will also operate on the Ebbw Valley line and on the main line on stations south of Newport.

The Heineken Cup semi-final between Cardiff Blues and the Leicester Tigers kicks off at 1500 BST, with road closures on approaches around the Millennium Stadium from 1330 BST until 1830 BST.

Arriva Trains Wales added: "Customers are advised that access to trains will be on a first-come, first-served basis."

Holidaymakers heading for the beach at Barry Island are also being warned that train services from Cardiff and Bridgend are replaced with bus services over the bank holiday weekend.

However, roadworks on the A55 at St Asaph, Denbighshire were lifted for the bank holiday weekend, with the Welsh Assembly Government saying two lanes would be open in both directions until Tuesday evening.

Single lane closures will then be back in place until the work is completed on 8 May.

For full details of all journey alterations, passengers are being asked to check with National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950