Rail services into Cardiff are experiencing major disruption with journeys cancelled or delayed after a fire erupted on Sunday.
A grassfire on an embankment close to an electrical substation between Newport and Cardiff Central has damaged an overhead line and signalling equipment. Emergency services attended and Network Rail staff were on site at the scene of the fire near St Brides, Wentloog.
Network Rail have confirmed that the fire has been extinguished but staff remain on site carrying out "necessary repairs".
A spokesperson for Network Rail said on Monday: "There was a fire next to the track yesterday between Newport (South Wales) and Cardiff Central. This has resulted in severe disruption across the south of Wales with two of the four lines remaining closed whilst repair work continues.
"A limited service of two trains in each direction every hour is able to continuing operating between Newport (South Wales) and Cardiff Central at a reduced speed. Trains between these stations will be cancelled, delayed by up to 30 minutes, or revised.
"Major disruption is expected to continue to impact services until the end of the day.
"No CrossCountry services will operate between Newport (South Wales) and Cardiff Central. Most services will be terminated at/started back from Gloucester.
"Replacement road transport will be in place between Newport (South Wales) and Cardiff Central after 8.30am. Please note, journey times will be extended when travelling using rail replacement transport.
"Great Western Railway services will be reduced to one train per hour in each direction between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central (calling at Newport in between).
"Transport for Wales services will be reduced to one train per hour in each direction between Newport (South Wales) and Cardiff Central. Services between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff Central / Maesteg will not run."
Network Rail urged all passengers to allow extra time for their journeys.
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Delays, cancellations expected for GWR trains between Bristol and Cardiff
Great Western Railway (GWR) has said that even though some lines are open after the fire yesterday, disruptions still remain for trains running between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central.
It said that the disruption is expected to last until Wednesday, May 6, and trains running via these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes, or revised.
People who reach their destinations at least 15 minutes later than planned will be able to claim compensation through the rail company's website.
In a X post, GWR wrote: "Following the fire brigade dealing with an incident near the railway yesterday between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central, some lines are now open. Train services running through these stations may be cancelled, delayed by up to 60 minutes or revised.
"Disruption is expected until the end of the day on the 06/05. Check your journey at http://gwr.com/check and follow us for updates. If you arrive at your destination 15 minutes or more later than planned, you can claim compensation at http://delayrepay.gwr.com."
Passengers will be able to use their GWR tickets on Transport of Wales and Cross Country trains to complete their journeys.
GWR added: "To help you complete your journey, you may use your ticket, at no extra cost on: CrossCountry Trains, but they are operating a revised timetable today.
"Transport for Wales train services, but they are also operating a reduced timetable today. If you intended to travel yesterday (Sunday 4th May 2025) and couldn't use your ticket, your ticket will be valid for travel today."
Trains departing from Newport to Cardiff this afternoon
Rail passengers travelling between Newport and Cardiff can use the following services:
- 12:31, 13:23, 13:31, 13:37
- 14:25, 14:30, 14:35
Routes affected
The following routes are affected by this disruption:
- CrossCountry between Nottingham / Leicester / Birmingham New Street and Cardiff Central
- Great Western Railway between Penzance / Taunton / Portsmouth Harbour / Portsmouth & Southsea and Cardiff Central, and also between London Paddington and Cardiff Central / Swansea / Carmarthen
- Transport for Wales between Holyhead / Cheltenham Spa / Ebbw Vale Town and Cardiff Central, between Manchester Piccadilly and Swansea / Milford Haven, and also between Ebbw Vale Town and Maesteg
Passengers could receive compensation
If your train journey is delayed or cancelled you may be entitled to a full refund from the retailer of your ticket, or compensation from the train company that caused the delay.
If you are travelling and arrive late at your destination due to a cancelled or delayed service, you may be able to claim compensation. You will need to request compensation directly from your train company.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said:
You may be entitled to compensation if you experience a delay in completing your journey today. Please keep your train ticket and make a note of your journey, as both will be required to support any claim.
'Do not travel' warning from rail passenger
Leanne Bourke says she was "stuck on train at Severn Tunnel junction for hours yesterday" due to Network Rail struggling to get rail replacement buses over the bank holiday.
Posting on Facebook yesterday, she said the situation "feels like the beginning of a horror movie" and warned others not to by train between Cardiff and Bristol until the situation has resolved.
Disruption to last until Wednesday
Network Rail have confirmed that the "major disruption" between Newport (South Wales) and Cardiff Central expected until the end of the day on Tuesday, May 6.
Rail services are not to return to normal until early hours Wednesday.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said:
Network Rail staff are on site working to carry out the necessary repairs. This is expected to take until at least the end of the day tomorrow, Tuesday 6 May.
All trains cancelled between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff Central
Services between Ebbw Vale and Cardiff Central / Maesteg will not run. You are advised to use alternative services between Ebbw Vale and Newport (South Wales), and then between Newport (South Wales) and Cardiff Central to complete your journey.
Transport for Wales services reduced and cancelled
Transport for Wales services will be reduced to one train per hour in each direction between Newport (South Wales) and Cardiff Central.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said:
Road transport at Newport (South Wales) and Cardiff Central will continue to assist customers to complete journeys where possible at no extra cost.
Due to engineering works and the bank holiday weekend, road transport is likely to be limited. Please note, journey times will be extended when travelling using rail replacement transport.
Great Western Railway services cancelled
Great Western Railway services will be reduced to one train per hour in each direction between Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central (calling at Newport in between).
Due to this, Patchway and Severn Tunnel Junction stations will not receive a train service from Great Western Railway.
No CrossCountry services to operate
No CrossCountry services will operate between Newport (South Wales) and Cardiff Central. Most services will be terminated at / started back from Gloucester.
Replacement road transport will be in place between Newport (South Wales) and Cardiff Central after 08:30.
Network Rail want to remind passengers that journey times will be extended when travelling using rail replacement transport.
One train per hour between Newport and Cardiff
Five out of the usual six trains travelling between Cardiff and Newport every hour have been cancelled.
For those travelling to the capital this morning through Newport can travel at 09:33, 10:33, 11:23 and 11:28.
