£13m work begins to improve services on Cambrian line

Passengers can look forward to a more reliable railway between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth, Machynlleth and Pwllheli as Network Rail begins work to improve the Cambrian Line.

Jointly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and Network Rail, the enhancement project will allow an increase in trains to an hourly service, boosting the number of passenger trains from 38 to 57 per day.

The Cambrian line currently serves more than 390,000 passengers, and this could be increased by 55,000 more.

Improvement work will be carried out in several phases and is planned for completion by Spring 2009. This work will include:

• The creation of new and enhanced passing loops at Dovey Junction, Talerddig and between Welshpool Station and Fron level crossing.
• A revised design and operation of Weig Lane level crossing to allow the removal of a speed restriction at the crossing, and
• The lifting of the track and platforms at Dovey Junction to reduce impact of flooding in the area.

The first work will be carried out from 19 April to 27 April 2008 and includes work to modernise signalling technology, and the Cambrian line will become the first in the country to deploy the industry’s newest signalling technology, the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).