Network Rail will start a £5m upgrade to the River Ebbw railway bridge in Crumlin this summer. Our work involves replacing the current bridge deck, which is only capable of carrying a single track, with a new steel and concrete structure that has the capacity to support a two-track railway. This means more trains could run over it in the future.
The work to improve the bridge is funded by the Department for Transport in support of the Welsh Government’s plans to run more trains on the Ebbw Vale line in the future.
As part of the wider Ebbw Vale Frequency Enhancement Scheme, five miles of additional track has been laid between Cross Keys and Aberbeeg. The bridge replacement at Crumlin is another important step towards enabling more services to run in future.
Whilst you may not see further immediate progress, I’d like to reassure you that we are working hard with Transport for Wales to develop our plans for other infrastructure upgrades required to increase train services on the Ebbw Vale line. This includes the completion of the track work and integrating the scheme with Network Rail’s Park Junction Re-signalling scheme. We are also working with Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly Councils, as well as local user groups, on the new platforms that will be required at Newbridge and Llanhilleth stations.
The work will be disruptive for passengers and people who live near the railway, but upgrading the bridge is an important step towards increasing the frequency of trains on the line in future. A letter will be sent to the people who live near the railway to explain what will happen.
The main work to replace the bridge will take place in September, when we will have three full closures of the railway. Transport for Wales will run buses to keep passengers moving between Ebbw Vale Town and Newbridge stations. To protect the safety of the public and our staff, we will need to have temporary traffic management in place on the A467, next to the River Ebbw railway bridge, so that we can temporarily position a crane there.
Following Government advice, we are taking all necessary precautions to keep our colleagues safe and the railway running for the people and freight users who rely on it. We will continue to follow Government guidelines in the weeks and months ahead.
Our railway continues to play a key part in our economic recovery as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. This investment is part of our wider plans to make improvements for the people of Wales, putting passengers at the heart of everything we do.
I hope this is helpful and the work isn’t too disruptive.
Regards,
Hannah McCarthy
Communications manager
Network Rail
