Parents Criticize Rail Closure During Road Closure Near Llanbrynmair

Parents think the Cambrian line closure is bad. Network Rail said it would close parts of the line from March 17 to April 2. This closure happens during road work in Talerddig.

Road work is already happening on the A470 near Llanbrynmair. The road is closed for three months to fix river erosion under the road. The detour is 70 miles long, going around Cemmaes and Mallwyd, and reaching Welshpool and Newtown. The work started January 20 and ends April 11.

Kids go from Talerddig and Carno to Caersws station and then train to Machynlleth for Ysgol Bro Hyddgen. The rail closure affects travel from March 17 to April 2. Parents are asking how kids will get to school.

Eleri Humphreys, who has two teenage daughters attending Ysgol Bro Hyddgen and lives in Talerddig past the road work, thinks it is absurd. They already have a long day before school starts. Trains in Birmingham caused delays, leading to late arrivals one day and late returns another. Nobody has told them how kids will get to school, and bus companies might avoid the Bont Dolgadfan route. Parents are frustrated with upcoming exams and worried about trains, buses, and school.

Humphreys needs to access Bronglais Hospital, but an operation prevents her from driving for two months. She will struggle to get to physio and cannot easily help her daughters with school.

Powys Council said they are working with partners, including transport operators and road agencies. They will decide on transport during the rail closure and inform affected parents.

Talerddig road is one lane, controlled by traffic lights since November 2023, after the bank under the road collapsed.

Road works were pushed back once due to the Talerddig train crash, which killed one and injured others. Work began January 20. On February 11, residents saw more roadside damage between Talerddig and Dolfach. The barrier hung over the eroded road.

Councillors say road engineers will fix it during the same closure. Road work allows Network Rail to do repairs after the crash. However, it’s unclear why they didn’t coordinate work to prevent simultaneous road and rail closures.

Councillor Elwyn Vaughan says workers are collaborating to open one road lane before rail work starts, asking for patience. All groups are talking, and contractors will try to open one lane for traffic, managed by lights when rail closes. The situation depends on weather; if not, minibuses will take pupils to Llanbrynmair, then to Machynlleth. Network Rail would offer coach alternatives.

It’s frustrating, but the investment is needed to prevent the road from getting worse. Patience and support are needed for a quick finish. He also mentioned residents’ concerns who live on the B road diversion around Talerddig.

Bont Dolgadfan is a small village with the most direct detour around Talerddig, turning the 70-mile detour into seven miles.

Drivers use the B road through the hills as a route. The single-track road is busy, and drivers use soft verges, making a “mud bath” on the road.

Vehicles got stuck in ditches; farmers use 4x4s to warn drivers. Bont Dolgadfan residents made signs requesting drivers slow down to 20mph, guiding drivers to laybys, and warning of soft verges.

The Welsh government knows about the problem. Councillor Vaughan said the government promised to fix the road; it will be restored after the main road is done.

Councillor Gary Mitchell received calls from worried residents concerning kids in schools utilizing rail. He understands the disruption; older students face GCSEs. The road was supposed to be fixed before Christmas, but the train crash caused a delay. Rail work must start within the year, and he is glad to see investment.

He is frustrated with the lack of information about a new work area in Talerddig. Residents only heard about it after work began.

Russell George MS questioned the government about school transport plans. He wants better coordination among agencies to reduce the impact on communities.

Mr. George suggested 24/7 work which overnight work would keep the road open during the day, and temporary diversions, but all suggestions were rejected. He asked for an update and if work would end by April 11.

Traffic Wales said buses between Machynlleth and Newtown are stopped, advising using trains, which is not possible during rail closures.

Mr George also raised concerns. He worries about students traveling from Talerddig and Carno to Machynlleth, who rely on the rail service. The school bus can’t run because the road closure is in effect, leaving students with no way to get to school and families confused.

The government should reassess its approach to prioritize faster roadwork completion and better coordination among agencies.

Mr. George said the road closure was handled unacceptably due to little coordination among the government, Transport for Wales, and Network Rail. People face travel difficulties, and clear solutions aren’t in place.

The long detour is already difficult, and now rail work makes travel impossible for some. The government website suggests using Transport for Wales, but Network Rail announced a rail line closure and told people to use buses. There are no direct buses and there has been a lack of coordination.

He urges the First Minister to intervene, needing a proper plan quickly.

First Minister Eluned Morgan responded, hoping road work ends on April 11 and they are working to reduce the duration. She will check if the website is consistent.

The rail works are part of a big reinvestment of £15 million for the Cambrian Line, planned for years, preparing for new Transport for Wales Class 197 trains.

Train cancellations happened because of a lack of trains; unscheduled repairs caused bus replacements. The Cambrian Line has been promised new trains for years.

TfW got 40 new trains last year, but they are not ready yet; repairs must happen first. The goal is 145 new Class 197 trains, operational this year, with bicycle storage, easy access, and air conditioning.

Trains from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth were crowded last week due to “unscheduled repairs.”

Work includes track renewals between Dovey Junction, Machynlleth, and Caersws, as well as maintenance between Caersws and Shrewsbury. Embankments will be strengthened near Talerddig, bridges will be renewed at Glantwymyn, and vegetation will be cleared.

Buses will replace trains in several areas and at various times. The bus routes will vary.

Network Rail said closing the railway now allows them to do work scheduled for 2026 and 2027 sooner. They can do multiple projects together, reducing disruption and saving £1.5 million.

A Network Rail spokesperson said they understand the closure is inconvenient. They worked with the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales for a road replacement plan to reduce the impact.

Ken Skates, the Transport Secretary, said the closures are unavoidable due to the repair needed at Talerddig. The repair is only temporary; they need to ensure the road is strong. Contract obligations also impact the rail network.