Transport for Wales (TfW) has announced that the Rhymney valley railway line will soon undergo major enhancements as part of the South Wales Metro project. Work is expected to start at the end of March and will cause some disruption for passengers, especially those travelling between Rhymney and Caerphilly.
The major work is being carried out through an "intensive eight-month programme of engineering" that will electrify more than 15km of railway line. During this time there will be periods where the line is closed including for two six-week closures with the first from April 12 to May 23 and the second from July 19 to August 31.
TfW is encouraging all passengers on the Rhymney line to check before they travel while the work is carried out. There will be rail replacement services in operations to keep passengers moving. Stay informed on Caerphilly news by signing up to our newsletter here.
On top of the extended six-week closures the Rhymney line will also be closed from 7pm on Mondays to Thursdays. There are also expected to be several weekend closures throughout the year as well as another two-week closure from October 18. A full list of planned rail closures on the Rhymney line by month is available on TfW’s website.
New trains were introduced to the Rhymney valley line in 2023 and the upgrades will allow brand new electric trains to run on the line between 2026. By the end of 2026 TFW say that all journeys on the Rhymney line will be made on the class 756 electric trains.
Dan Tipper, chief infrastructure officer at TfW, said: "We are excited to embark on our transformation programme to upgrade the Rhymney line as part of the South Wales Metro project, aimed at transforming public transport in south Wales. We'll be carrying out major infrastructure improvements on the line including the installation of overhead line equipment to electrify the line and upgrades to local railway stations.
"We appreciate the patience of our customers and neighbours living near the railway as we carry out these upgrades. We understand that rail closures and engineering work may cause disruption for those who rely on our services and for those living close to the tracks and would like to urge all customers to check before traveling during this period."
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