This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6554253.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Buses back on disrupted rail line | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Rail passengers travelling between Cardiff and Swansea face more delays on Sunday after a week of disruption. | |
Thousands of people travelling across south Wales have been forced to rely on replacement buses this week after signalling work overran. | |
That work has now been completed, but another batch of maintenance work will be carried out on the line on Sunday. | |
Network Rail said it was "unfortunate timing" but that the track should reopen as normal on Monday morning. | |
The initial problems were caused after signalling work on a 22-mile stretch of line running from Llantrisant to Baglan was not finished by Easter Monday as planned. | |
As well as the extended bus service between Cardiff and Swansea, knock-on delays were also caused on some rail services between London and south Wales. | As well as the extended bus service between Cardiff and Swansea, knock-on delays were also caused on some rail services between London and south Wales. |
Many passengers were forced to use replacement buses | Many passengers were forced to use replacement buses |
On Saturday, a Network Rail spokesman said that scheduled maintenance work on changing sleepers between Llanharan and Cardiff East meant that the replacement bus service between Cardiff and Swansea would be in operation again on Sunday. | |
"It's unfortunate timing, but this is essential maintenace work which has been scheduled for some time and is nothing to do with the work which has been carried out this week," he said. | |
"A lot of this work is done on a Sunday because that's when less people travel on the railway." | |
Network Rail, which owns Britain's rail infrastructure, has said it will carry out a full investigation into the delays caused by the signalling work. | |
The firm, which is spending £400m on improving train services across south Wales, said the delays had been caused because continued testing of the new signalling system was required before it could become fully operational. | |
Many passengers said they had been annoyed at the disruption to services, with several complaining of a lack of clear information about the changes. | Many passengers said they had been annoyed at the disruption to services, with several complaining of a lack of clear information about the changes. |
Details of changes to services are available from National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950. | Details of changes to services are available from National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950. |