Buses will replace trains for an extra day

Buses have been replacing train services between Swansea and Cardiff over the Easter break as part of a �400m improvement scheme.

Now they will have to continue a day longer because a new signalling work at Port Talbot is not yet complete.

Network Rail and train service operators apologised for the delays.

The rail track across south Wales has been closed for work on the Port Talbot East resignalling project, a 22-mile stretch of line running from Llantrisant to Baglan.

The closure has had to be extended until early Wednesday, said Network Rail, because although much work has already been done, more time is needed to complete the installation and testing of the new system.

A spokeswoman for rail watchdog Passenger Focus said it was important passengers were given as much up-to-date information as possible on affected services, so they could make informed decisions about their journeys.

We hope passengers will understand that this work will benefit them in the future First Great Western spokesman

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We apologise to passengers for the disruption and inconvenience this will cause.

"We appreciate they have already been patient, but we are asking for them to bear with us whilst we get the delivery of the project exactly right.

"Our engineers will be doing everything they can to finish this work and get train services back to normal as soon as possible."

Train operators Arriva Trains Wales and First Great Western also apologised for the delays for passengers.

An Arriva Trains Wales spokesman said there had been no reported problems over the weekend with the replacement bus services. He said although Tuesday would be busier, it would not be as busy as a normal midweek day.

"Anyone travelling between Cardiff and Swansea, regardless of who they were travelling, are being asked to use the replacement bus services.

Extend holidays

"They will then continuing their journey on the train."

A First Great Western spokesman said he hoped passengers would understand.

"Clearly services from Swansea will be affected, but this has happened in the past and we have a decent operation in place with replacement buses, but we're hoping passengers will bear with us.

"Sometimes with major works it can overrun, but in our experience people do extend the holidays and the bulk of people coming back to work will be on Wednesday.

"We hope passengers will understand that this work will benefit them in the future."