In the coming weeks, the Coryton line and the Rhymney line, from Cardiff Queen Street to Caerphilly, will be electrified. This marks a significant milestone in the South Wales Metro programme and will allow us to introduce new trains on the Coryton line from Spring 2025.

A photo showcasing newly installed Overhead Line Electrification

This means that the power will be switched on and available to be used. The overhead power lines that carry 25,000 volts will be live, making it extremely dangerous for any persons to come close to the overhead wires.

Whilst there is no danger to people using the railway correctly, anyone who does not respect the railway boundary, the fence line that protects both people and the operational railway from deliberate or accidental trespass, are placing themselves at risk.

A map depicting where overhead power lines will be energised

 

We’d like to thank our lineside neighbours for their patience whilst engineering works has increased over recent months in preparation for the electrification of the Coryton and Lower Rhymney lines.

The Coryton and Lower Rhymney line, shown in red on the map, will be electrified in the coming weeks.

 

Testing the Overhead Line Equipment

Saturday 01 to Sunday 02 February 2025

As part of the energisation process, we will need to conduct testing in February 2025 to ensure that the equipment across the Coryton and lower Rhymney lines is working properly.

To ensure the safety of the public during the testing period, we’ll need to close several footbridges that cross the railway line, including all level crossings and station footbridges, on Saturday 01 and Sunday 02 February 2025.

Closures on the Coryton line:

Closures on the Lower Rhymney line:

Road Closures

The following roads will be closed, with vehicle diversions in place, from 8:00 to 20:00 on Saturday 01 February, and from 9:00 to 20:00 on Sunday 02 February:

  • Highfield Road Overbridge

    • What Three Words: ///august.edge.shapes

    • This road will be closed for both vehicles and pedestrians. To ensure pedestrians can cross the railway safely, we’ll be running a shuttle bus between the bus stops on Allensbank Road and Lake Road West, which will run from 8:00 to 20:00 on Saturday 01 and Sunday 02 February.

    • A diversion will be in place to direct cars over the railway via Wedal Road, to the South of Highfield Road.

    • Trosbont Highfield Road | Highfield Road Overbridge

  • Heath Halt overbridge

    • What Three Words: ///parade.churn.rental

    • Heath Halt overbridge, situated next to Heath Low Level station, will be closed to vehicles, with a diversion route in place. The bridge will remain open for pedestrians.

    • The diversion route for vehicles is shown in red.

    • Drosbont Halt y Mynydd Bychan | Heath Halt overbridge

Traffic Management

To ensure that pedestrians can still cross other road bridges over the railway safely we will have traffic management in place. This will allow single lane traffic to travel over the bridges, whilst also helping us to maintain a safe distance from the sides of the bridge for pedestrians.

From 8:00 to 20:00 on Saturday 01 February and 9:00 to 20:00 on Sunday 02 February there will be traffic management in place on the following bridges, to allow us to maintain single-lane traffic over the bridge and ensure a safe distance from the sides of the bridge for pedestrians:

 

What should I do if I see someone trespassing on the railway?

Anyone trespassing on the railway is at risk of serious injury and/or death. If you see anyone on the railway who you believe is not supposed to be there, please call 999 as soon as you can.

For non - emergencies, please text the British Transport Police on 61016.

 

More information

You can read more about OLE here.

More information on our No Second Chances safety campaign can be found here.

OVERHEAD POWERLINES KILL