Cambrian Coast rail: Closure for Porthmadog bypass work

The railway line will close for 54 hours over the weekend

Part of the Cambrian Coast mainline railway is to close for the weekend as part of the construction work on the £35m Porthmadog bypass.

Rail services will be suspended between Harlech and Pwlllheli from 2300 BST on Friday 6 May to 0600 BST on Monday 9.

Arriva Train Wales said replacement bus services will run over the weekend.

The new bypass section of the A487 aims to cut journey times and ease congestion in Porthmadog, Tremadog and Penrhyndeudraeth.

Hefin Lloyd-Davies, the project's deputy project manager said the weekend marked the culmination of months of preparatory work.

"We will be tying in the new stretch of track at either end and handing the line back to Arriva Trains Wales ready for normal service to resume on Monday," he said.

During the work a 450m (492 yards) section of track will be moved by 30m (32 yards) to make way for the new road.

"Efforts have been made to minimise travel disruption, and we would like to thank rail passengers and the wider public in advance for their patience and co-operation," Mr Lloyd-Davies added.

A spokesperson for Arriva Trains Wales said the changes to the service would be on Saturday 7 May and Sunday 8 May.

"Trains between Machynlleth and Pwllheli will be replaced with road transport between Harlech and Pwllheli, serving all stations via Porthmadog in both directions," the spokesperson added.