GWR warn trains will be busy ahead of Beyoncé concert in Cardiff
Concertgoers are reminded to allow for extra time before and after the concert to travel with demand set to be high
Great Western Railway say trains for the Beyoncé concert in Cardiff will be super busy this evening.
Concert-goers are urged to allow extra time, especially after damage to signalling equipment earlier this week means services will take a few minutes longer than normal.
The rail operator say they expect to return to a 'full level of service' following the trackside fire between Newport and Cardiff, but trains are still expected to be extremely busy and will continue to take a few minutes longer than usual to pass through the affected area as Network Rail works to repair the damage.
Tonight, there will be a queuing system to let people get home, but extra trains are being put on by GWR to cope with the extra demand.
GWR Customer Service & Operations Director, Richard Rowland said: “We’re asking customers to check before they travel and allow more time for their journeys both before and after the concert.
“Safety of our customers is of the uppermost importance. Trains do get very busy and there will be a need to queue outside the station following the gig. Customers travelling from further afield are reminded to check the time of the last trains home.”
A queuing system will be in place after the concert - with 8,000 extra seats put on
In a repeat of the queueing system for this year’s Six Nations, people travelling towards Newport will be asked to queue on the square in front of Cardiff Central station.
Transport for Wales is advising passengers travelling from the South Wales Valleys to allow extra time for their journey as replacement buses will be in operation - with no trains north of Pontypridd and Mountain Ash all day.
A spokesperson for Transport for Wales said: “Unfortunately our planned engineering work is over-running while we complete all the necessary checks to allow the infrastructure to be reopened safely.
“We understand the extension of rail replacement buses that are currently in place will be frustrating for passengers, especially with a major event taking place in Cardiff.
“It is important customers familiarise themselves with the rail replacement timetables to get to the event and home safely afterwards. We also have ticket acceptance in place with bus operators and customers are advised to make use of these where possible.”
Network Rail continues to investigate the cause of yesterday’s trackside fire and expects minor disruption to continue until the end of the month.
Nick Millington, route director at Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “We are very sorry for the disruption passengers are facing between Cardiff and Newport following a fire which caused severe damage to signalling equipment and overhead cables.
“The success of our engineering teams overnight means disruption is now minimal - a few minutes per journey - and the restoration of the overhead cables means electric trains can also run again, which will be a big help before and after the Beyoncé concert in Cardiff, tomorrow night.
“As work continues to repair the signalling equipment over the coming weeks, we are urging passengers to please check before travelling with their train operator.”
Doors at the Principality Stadium open at 5pm - with the concert due to end by 10:30pm.