June 18, 2026 - 169 views
Passengers using the North Wales Coast railway line are being warned to prepare for major disruption next year after Network Rail confirmed plans for one of the biggest infrastructure programmes on the route in years.
The organisation says it is planning a significant programme of engineering works between Chester and Holyhead, with the railway expected to close continuously for up to four weeks in January 2027.
The work forms part of the wider Network North Wales investment programme and is designed to improve reliability, increase capacity and make stations more accessible while supporting growing demand for rail travel across the region.
Among the planned improvements are track renewals, drainage upgrades, vegetation management and the installation of two new fully accessible footbridges at Prestatyn and Pensarn, making it easier and safer for people to cross the railway.
The announcement follows a brief statement issued by Network Rail last month indicating that major works were being planned. The organisation has now confirmed the scale of the project and why a prolonged closure is being proposed.
Network Rail says carrying out the work during one continuous closure will allow engineers to complete the programme more quickly, safely and efficiently than if it were spread over numerous weekend and overnight closures.
January has been chosen because it is traditionally one of the quietest periods for tourism in North Wales, with many holiday parks and visitor attractions closed for the winter, helping to reduce the impact on passengers and local businesses.
The investment follows the introduction of the new North Wales rail timetable in May, which delivered a 50 per cent increase in Transport for Wales services and was described as the biggest timetable improvement for the region in a generation.
Emma Osborn, Passenger Strategy Director for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “This is one of the most significant upgrades to the North Wales Coast line in many years and reflects our commitment to delivering the railway that passengers, freight operators, businesses and communities have told us they want and need.
“We know any closure of the railway will cause temporary disruption and we do not take that lightly. However, growth and improvement require investment, and investment on this scale inevitably means carrying out major engineering work.
“While there will be some short-term inconvenience, the long-term benefits for passengers, freight and the wider North Wales economy will far outweigh that disruption.
“By delivering this work through a continuous programme, we can complete it more quickly, safely and efficiently than would otherwise be possible, reducing the overall impact compared with prolonged weekend and overnight closures.
“This investment is about future-proofing a railway that so many people rely on every day. It will help improve reliability, resilience and accessibility, support the enhanced services introduced this year and create a stronger railway that can support economic growth, tourism and better connectivity across North Wales for decades to come.”
Rail replacement bus services will operate while the line is closed, with detailed travel arrangements due to be announced once the programme has been finalised.
Network Rail says it has already begun engaging with communities about the new accessible footbridges and will continue to work with Transport for Wales, Avanti West Coast, freight operators, local authorities, businesses and community groups as the plans progress.
Further details, including the confirmed dates of the closure and replacement travel arrangements, will be announced in due course.
