A £25m investment to protect a section of a cross-border rail line running alongside the Severn Estuary from the increasing threat of flooding and the impact of climate change has been confirmed.
Network Rail is upgrading three miles of track on the Newport to Gloucester line - a key route that connects South Wales and the West Country to the Midlands and the north of England.
It is also a diversionary route for the South Wales Mainline to London when the Severn Tunnel is closed.
The project represents the biggest investment in the Newport-Gloucester line since it was opened in the 1850s.
Running alongside the Severn Estuary - exposed to rain, wind and sea - more frequent extreme weather has seen the line devastated by five major landslips in the last two years alone. This has led to extended closures of the railway and temporary speed restrictions, delaying more than 200,000 trains.
As well as disrupting passengers, this also impacts essential freight services, with 43 freight trains passing through every week, The route also serves ‘Tesco trains’, keeping supermarkets stocked with essential supplies.
Work is due to start next summer and will include the removal of more than 30,000 tonnes of material from the cliff face. A mesh and bolt system will then be installed alongside three miles of track, stabilising the rockface and preventing landslips from affecting the track below.
Network Rail is working closely with train and freight operators, carefully planning the work to minimise disruption for passengers, while delivering the project as safely and quickly as possible.
Bill Kelly, route director, Network Rail Wales and Borders said:“We’ve seen a huge increase in extreme weather events across our network in recent years. Climate change is happening here and now, and across Wales and Borders - from the Conwy Valley to the Welsh marches and Severn Estuary - we’re responding by building a more resilient railway.
“As well as saving taxpayers’ money and reducing delays for passengers and freight – we’re protecting this vital Welsh transport link for generations to come.”
James Price, chief executive of Transport for Wales said: “The storms and flooding we saw in 2020 were a powerful reminder of the growing impact of climate change on our transport network. We work very closely with Network Rail and it underlines the importance of their work to increase the resilience of the railway across Wales and Borders.”
Sarah Kelley, CrossCountry’s West & Wales regional director said: “This welcome investment from Network Rail will deliver a resilient and sustainable railway for our services along this key line linking England and Wales.
“We know disruption to our passengers’ journeys is unwelcome and will work closely with Network Rail to ensure this is kept to a minimum while they complete this.”
