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Railway lines reopened after fire near tracks

Antonia Matthews
BBC News
Getty Images GWR train in green and yellow front on the tracks at Cardiff CentralGetty Images
A fire near tracks between Newport and Cardiff Central caused significant disruption

Train lines cancelled or disrupted due to a fire near railway tracks have reopened, with services resuming on an amended timetable, Network Rail has said.

The grassfire on an embankment close to an electrical substation between Newport and Cardiff Central damaged an overhead line and signalling equipment over the weekend.

Network Rail said on Tuesday afternoon that "both main and relief lines" had reopened, with an amended timetable in place as work continued on a damaged overhead cable.

"We're sorry for any inconvenience experienced during these essential repair works," it said, urging passengers to check the Transport for Wales (TfW) website for updates.

The routes affected included:

  • GWR trains from the West Country to Cardiff Central
  • GWR trains from Portsmouth, Southampton, Salisbury and Westbury to Cardiff Central
  • GWR train services from London Paddington to Carmarthen
  • GWR trains from South Wales to Bristol Parkway, Swindon and Reading
  • TfW services between Cardiff Central and Ebbw Vale will not run
  • TfW services between Holyhead and Cardiff Central will not run between Shrewsbury and Cardiff Central
  • TfW services between Cardiff Central and Manchester Piccadilly will not run between Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly