North Wales Coast railway set for 'once in a generation' £25m transformation project
A major £25 million upgrade programme will transform the Chester-to-Holyhead railway, but passengers face a four-week line closure in early 2027 as Network Rail carries out once-in
By Chester Standard
Network Rail is set to carry out a £25 million upgrade of the North Wales Coast railway between Chester and Holyhead, with the line due to close for four weeks from Saturday 9 January to Saturday 6 February 2027.
The work is being described as a once-in-a-generation programme and is intended to improve reliability, capacity and safety on the route.
During the first three weeks, the line will be shut between Chester and Holyhead, including the Conwy Valley line and the section between Llandudno Junction and Llandudno. In the fourth week, the closure will be reduced to between Llandudno Junction and Holyhead.
Network Rail says the scheme will include track renewal through the Grade I-listed Conwy Tubular Railway Bridge, major track and drainage work in Bodorgan Tunnel, improvements at Holyhead and Llandudno, platform work at Llandudno Junction, and two new accessible footbridges at Prestatyn and Abergele.
Rail replacement buses are expected to run during the closure, with full travel details due to be confirmed in autumn 2026.