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Wales Online
6 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
Anger over planned rail works at night in middle of exam season
Anger over planned rail works at night in middle of exam season Transport for Wales (TfW) said the work to replace the old tracks on the Coryton line is safety critical and needs to be done at night Residents living in Cyncoed are worried about the timing of new railway works near their homes (Image: John Myers ) Parents in Cardiff are worried night-time railway works taking place from this week will affect children taking their GCSEs and A-level exams. Transport for Wales (TfW) has been carrying out works to upgrade and electrify the Coryton line for months. Work has now started on replacing the track from Highfield Road to Monthermer Road and residents living nearby have been told by TfW that it would take place from 8.30pm each night from Saturday to Wednesday for around five weeks. One parent, Matt, who lives in Cyncoed, told us late-night pile driving as part of the electrification works woke him and his child up on occasions and he worries the same thing will happen again. Never miss a Cardiff story and sign up to our newsletter here. Matt said: "He has got his GCSE [exam]... right in the middle of this period when they are going to be working. "Usually a teenager can sleep through anything, but if it's anything like when they were driving the pilings in or using the chainsaws then he will be woken up." When we approached TfW for a comment, it said the work to replace the old tracks on the Coryton line is safety critical. Article continues below A spokesperson for TfW also said due to the nature of the work, it has to be carried out during the night when trains are not running and it plans to keep noise to a minimum by using acoustic barriers. Engineering work to prepare for the electrification of the Coryton line, which is part of the wider South Wales Metro project, started in October 2024. Some residents living near the Coryton line said the work that took place during the night last year was disruptive (Image: John Myers ) Describing what it was like to live with the noise that was caused by pile driving, Matt said: "It really thudded. If you'd fallen asleep, the thud of putting the pilings in would still wake you up [with the] windows shut." Matt said works would start late at night and go on until the early hours of the morning. He added: "Once you got woken up, you... try to go back to sleep again, but you are on tenterhooks waiting for the next noise to start and it is not like it is a regular noise either." Upgrading the Core Valleys Lines forms a key part of the South Wales Metro project and involves the electrification of 170km of railway track. The work on railway lines also includes those to Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney and Treherbert, and it will allow TfW to run new electric trains on them. One resident living in Cyncoed who wished to remain anonymous said: "Hopefully when they finally get it all working, the noise impact will be less. [I am] told the electric trains will be much quieter. "We were told that it would be a positive thing, but so far [that is] not our experience." The resident went on to say their child hasn't been affected by the noise recently, but added past works have been disruptive. Describing the pile driving work which took place months ago, she added: "It was awful. I can't explain to you how loud it was. The garden was vibrating. I actually went to stay somewhere else for a couple of nights." Another Cyncoed resident who also wished to remain anonymous said the pile driving works were disruptive and woke him up at night. He said: "You have got the noise and you have got the light. They have got to be safe in doing it, so the light is very strong. It is very disruptive." The resident said he doesn't have any children who are taking GCSEs or A-levels, but added: "I feel for people who do." A TfW spokesperson said: 'Safety critical work to replace old track between Monthermer Road and Highfield Road forms part of our ongoing transformation of the Coryton and Rhymney lines, which will allow us to introduce brand-new trains on these routes from this summer. 'Due to the nature of the work it must take place during the night-time when trains are not running, but we aim to keep noise to a minimum as much as possible by using acoustic barriers. 'Residents living close to the railway line have been informed of the work and can contact our customer relations team using the details provided should they have any concerns.' Article continues below Cardiff Council as the local education authority was approached for a comment about parents' concerns.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Rail line stays shut after train hits tractor trailer
A rail line is to remain closed after a train hit a tractor and trailer on a level crossing in Herefordshire. A 32-year-old man was arrested following the crash involving a Transport for Wales (TfW) train near Leominster in Herefordshire, on Thursday morning. He was later released under investigation, police said. Two people were taken to hospital following the crash suffering minor injuries, said British Transport Police (BTP). The line between Hereford and Shrewsbury is expected to remain closed throughout Friday. A joint statement from TfW and Network Rail said work was under way to reopen the line and restore services "as quickly as possible". "Replacement road transport remains in place between Hereford and Shrewsbury and tickets will also be valid for use with other operators via all reasonable alternative routes as well as with Stagecoach bus," the statement said. A further update is expected at about midday on Friday. Morgan Shake was among 56 passengers on board the 08:30 train from Manchester Picadilly heading to Cardiff when the crash happened at about 10:40 GMT. She described hearing a "really loud bang" as the train hit the trailer on land at Nordan Farm. "The train just stopped moving, there was just debris everywhere," she said. "Not many people knew what was going on," added fellow passenger Sophie Hughen. "But thankfully no-one was severely injured at all so that was really good." A spokesperson for the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said a team of inspectors was at the site, gathering evidence. West Midlands Ambulance Service said one man was airlifted to hospital in Hereford, and a woman was taken to the hospital by road. Fifteen other people were checked over and discharged at the scene. The tractor driver was uninjured, the ambulance service added. The level crossing takes a farm track across the railway tracks and is only used by agricultural vehicles. The facility is a user-worked crossing - in these cases, when a railway crosses private land, the owner of the land, working with a signaller, is responsible for opening and closing the gates. Last month, investigators found several faults in a safety system on a TfW train after a fatal crash in October 2024. The trains - the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth service and the Machynlleth to Shrewsbury service - were travelling in opposite directions on a single line and were meant to pass on an extra section of line but the braking system failed. One man, 66, died and four other passengers were seriously injured. The RAIB's investigation into the 2024 crash continues and a final report will be published at a later date. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Man arrested after train hits tractor and trailer
Wales Online
23-05-2025
- Wales Online
Main train line closure latest after level crossing crash with tractor in Herefordshire
Main train line closure latest after level crossing crash with tractor in Herefordshire A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of endangering safety on the railway following the incident in which two passengers suffered minor injuries The scene of the collision where a passenger train crashed into a tractor and trailer near to Nordan Farm, in Leominster, Herefordshire (Image: Joseph Walshe / SWNS ) The mainline between Hereford and Shrewsbury will remain closed on Friday, May 23, after a train travelling from Manchester to Cardiff hit a tractor-trailer on a level crossing. The Transport for Wales (TfW) train travelling near Leominster, Herefordshire, on Thursday was not derailed but two passengers suffered minor injuries, according to British Transport Police (BTP). BTP said on Thursday afternoon that a 32-year-old man from Bromyard, Herefordshire, had been arrested on suspicion of endangering safety on the railway. A joint statement from TfW and Network Rail on Thursday evening said work was underway to re-open the line and restore services "as quickly as possible". The statement said: "Replacement road transport remains in place between Hereford and Shrewsbury and tickets will also be valid for use with other operators via all reasonable alternative routes as well as with Stagecoach bus. "Customers should continue to check before they travel and we will look to provide a further update at midday tomorrow." BTP said officers were called to the level crossing north of Leominster at 10.40am on Thursday. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here West Midlands Ambulance Service said one man was airlifted to Hereford County Hospital and a woman was taken to the facility by road. Article continues below "Fifteen further patients who were passengers on the train were assessed, and all were discharged at the scene," an ambulance service spokeswoman said. "Nobody from the tractor required assessment." West Mercia Police and fire crews also attended the scene. BTP said inquiries into the lead-up to the incident were ongoing. A spokesperson for the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said: "The RAIB has sent a team of inspectors to Leominster in Herefordshire who are at the site of a collision between a passenger train and an agricultural trailer at a user-worked level crossing. "Our inspectors will gather evidence as part of the process of conducting a preliminary examination and a decision on whether an investigation will be launched will be taken in the coming days." Article continues below Councillor Dan Hurcomb, ward councillor for the area on Herefordshire Council, said: "I was very concerned to hear about the incident on the railway line today and I am grateful for the swift response of the emergency services. "Whilst I am relieved that no-one was seriously injured, the reality is this could have been much worse, and I hope there will be a full investigation now to establish the facts and ensure this type of accident cannot happen again."
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested after train crashes into farm trailer at level crossing
A man has been arrested after a train travelling from Manchester to Cardiff hit a tractor's trailer on a level crossing. The Transport for Wales (TfW) train travelling near Leominster, Herefordshire, was not derailed but two passengers were injured, according to British Transport Police. The force added that a 32-year-old man from nearby Bromyard had been arrested on suspicion of endangering safety on the railway. Officers were called to the level crossing north of Leominster at 10.40am on Thursday. West Midlands Ambulance Service said one man was airlifted to Hereford County Hospital and a woman was taken to the facility by road. 'Fifteen further patients who were passengers on the train were assessed, and all were discharged at the scene. Nobody from the tractor required assessment,' an ambulance service spokesman said. West Mercia Police and fire crews also attended the scene. There were 66 people on the train, it was reported. Disruption was expected until the end of the day, National Rail said, with direct trains between the two cities cancelled. A TfW spokesman said: 'The 08:30 Manchester Piccadilly-Cardiff Central service has hit an obstruction at a crossing between Ludlow and Leominster so all services on the Marches line are on stop. 'Ticket acceptance is in place with Northern, Avanti, GWR and CrossCountry. Replacement road transport is being put in place.' BTP said inquiries into the lead-up to the incident are ongoing. A spokesman for the Rail Accident Investigation Branch said: '[We have] sent a team of inspectors to Leominster in Herefordshire who are at the site of a collision between a passenger train and an agricultural trailer at a user-worked level crossing. 'Our inspectors will gather evidence as part of the process of conducting a preliminary examination and a decision on whether an investigation will be launched will be taken in the coming days.' A Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: 'Crews from Hereford, Malvern, Redditch, Wyre Forest, Leintwardine, Tenbury Wells and Leominster were called to an incident with a train, consisting of five carriages and carrying 66 people, in collision with an agricultural trailer unit near Orleton. 'There is no fire and the train was not derailed, but there will be disruption to the line.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Major changes announced for train travel in one part of Wales
Major changes announced for train travel in one part of Wales A huge plan to transform train services in north Wales has been announced Major changes are proposed for north Wales services including Wrexham General (Image: Google Maps ) The Welsh Government has said it wants to electrify the north Wales mainline in a newly-published grand plan for how it aims to improve rail services in north Wales. The plan includes short-term improvements, like increasing the frequency of services and removing level crossings so services can flow more smoothly, right through to electrifying the north Wales mainline and Metro-style services to all stations. A plan being announced on Thursday looks at short-, medium-, and long-term plans for the area with some starting in the next six months and others going right through to 2035 and beyond. In the next six months plans include speaking to people about closing level crossings, renaming the Borderlands Line as Wrexham to Liverpool, and investigating what it can do to improve connectivity between north Wales and London. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . The plan is for work to begin immediately to begin discussing major improvements on the north Wales mainline and Marches line. It would mean improvements to stations and lines as well as increased frequency of services. What are the aims and how long will they take? Six- to 12-month timescale Improvements on stations between Wrexham and Liverpool Double train service frequency between Wrexham and Chester 50% more Transport for Wales (TfW) services on the north Wales mainline New bus stations to help jobs between Wrexham and Deeside Pay as you go fares in north east Wales Metro branding on trains and buses as well as stations Direct services between Liverpool and Llandudno One to three years Upgrading Padeswood station A "reliable" two trains per hour on Wrexham to Liverpool line Complete development work on electrification Improve Buckley station Article continues below Five years New stations including connecting Deeside Industrial Estate Improved connectivity to Manchester Airport Consistent rail timetable for the north Wales mainline New trains Upgrade Gobowen Signal to increase Marches line capacity Prepare for electrification of north Wales mainline By 2035 North Wales mainline electrified with new rolling stock being rolled out and more services Chester station enhanced Improved connections between Wrexham General and Central Four trains per hour between Wrexham and Liverpool Enhanced connections to Liverpool South Parkway Redouble the line between Wrexham and Chester Improve accessibility at stations Beyond 2035 Metro-style services to all stations south of Wrexham to Gobowen to Crewe Tram-train connections to "key settlements" Improve journey times between north and south Wales New stations north and south of Wrexham including A55 Parkway Enhanced connectivity to Warrington Bank Quay Marches Line resignalling and electrification Northern Line connections A map of Welsh Government proposals for the North Wales mainline (Image: Welsh Government ) The operation of the railway in Wales is a Welsh Government responsibility. However infrastructure planning and the funding of Network Rail in Wales remains reserved to the UK Parliament. Electrifying the north Wales mainline was something suggested by former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak but his party conference announcement was derided as having no plans behind it. The Welsh Government's then-transport minister said at the time that any discussions between the-then UK and Welsh Governments were looking at a range of projects but this had never been discussed. On October 4, 2023, Mr Sunak stood on the stage at the Conservative party conference and confirmed he was scrapping the HS2 line to Manchester. Instead he promised transport improvements "in all parts of the country" including to electrify the north Wales mainline. However the Labour administration in Wales said it had not been informed of the plans. In the Senedd Lee Waters MS said: "We've had no conversations with the UK Government about this." The cost, it later was estimated, was around £1bn but even that was disputed by Mr Waters who said: "We have no idea of the cost of it" and claimed the £1bn was "a finger in the air figure". Article continues below When Mr Sunak visited Wales the following February we asked him what was happening with the scheme. He told us a meeting happened to be happening that day but three months later his then levelling up minister Michael Gove admitted there was no progress.
