Mair Rowlands MS has called for better communication with passengers ahead of major railway works which will leave Bangor and Holyhead without train services for four weeks next year.
The Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd for Bangor Conwy Môn has raised concerns that many regular passengers remain unaware of the disruption and need clearer information to help them prepare alternative travel arrangements.
The North Wales Coast Line closure is scheduled to run from Saturday 9 January until Saturday 6 February 2027, as part of a programme involving more than £25 million of investment in the railway. Replacement bus services will operate during the works.
For the first three weeks, the railway will be closed between Chester and Holyhead, including the Conwy Valley Line and the branch between Llandudno Junction and Llandudno.
During the fourth week, the closure will reduce to the section between Llandudno Junction and Holyhead, meaning passengers using Bangor station will face disruption throughout the four-week period.
Speaking during Tuesday’s Senedd plenary session, Mair Rowlands highlighted the impact on residents in Bangor Conwy Môn and called for greater efforts to ensure passengers know about the closure and the alternative services available.
Mair Rowlands MS said:
“This is a railway that thousands of people rely on, and therefore the impact on passengers in Bangor Conwy Môn. Despite this, a large number of people who regularly use these services remain unaware of the disruption that lies ahead.
“I would like to request a statement from the Deputy Minister setting out the support the Welsh Government can provide between now and January to spread the word, so that local residents are aware of the situation and have the opportunity to prepare alternative travel plans.”
In response, the Senedd’s Trefnydd, Heledd Fychan MS, acknowledged the disruption and said preparations were under way to minimise its impact.
Heledd Fychan MS said:
“I thank the Member for raising this issue. I appreciate that this will cause temporary disruption in terms of the service for travellers while the railway is closed. The Deputy Minister for Transport has already published a written statement.
“The Welsh Government is engaging with Network Rail and Avanti and Transport for Wales through Network North Wales meetings, and Transport for Wales and Avanti are completing detailed plans for bus replacement services during that period as well.”
What work is taking place?
The programme includes renewing track through Conwy Tubular Railway Bridge, improving track and drainage in Bodorgan Tunnel on Anglesey, and track renewal and ground improvements at Penmaenbach.
There will also be track and points improvements at Holyhead and Llandudno, platform improvements at Llandudno Junction, work at four level crossings east of Bangor, and two new accessible footbridges at Prestatyn and Abergele.
Network Rail says combining the work into one closure will reduce the need for repeated weekend shutdowns. January was chosen because it is traditionally quieter for tourism.
Detailed timetables for January and February are expected to appear in journey planners between late October and early November. Passengers are advised to check their journeys once the amended schedules are published.
Read more about the planned works on Network Rail’s website.
Photo: Network Rail
