Dozens of Transport for Wales services cancelled after train hits cables on key commuter route
THOUSANDS of rail commuters on the Valleys lines faced disruption on Friday after overhead cables were cut – leaving dozens of train services cancelled.
A train hit the overhead wires that had come down between Radyr and Llandaff, blocking the line.
It is understood that the cables were cut by thieves who struck in the middle of the night. British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating.
A source told The Cardiffian that no passengers were on board and no one was injured. They also said that this is the second time in as many months that overhead cables have been stolen.
It is understood that there was damage to line side equipment and to the train itself.
Transport for Wales confirmed that the train had struck the wires that had come down, leading to this morning’s chaos.
Services from Merthyr, Rhondda and the Cynon Valley all use the stretch between Radyr and Llandaff, leading to widespread disruption.
Credit: Google
A BTP spokesperson said on Friday: “Officers were called to the line in Llandaff shortly before 6am following reports that the overhead lines had been cut.
“Some of these landed on an empty passenger train. Enquiries are ongoing.”
Since 5.30am on Friday, more than 30 services on the line have so far been cancelled with more likely to follow, leaving commuters seeking alternative transport.
Now engineers face a race against time to get trains up and running again ahead of the busy Six Nations weekend.
A Transport for Wales spokesperson said: “Earlier this morning, a train struck overhead wires that had come down near Llandaf station. Engineers and the British Transport Police are in attendance to investigate and repair the damage.
“Services between Radyr and Cardiff have been affected as a result, with no services calling at Llandaf, Cathays or stations on the City Line between Radyr and Coryton.
“We don’t expect the disruption to carry on into tomorrow, work to repair the damage should be completed by late afternoon today.
“We’re very sorry for the disruption to people’s journeys. We advise customers to check before they travel using the TfW website, app, or JourneyCheck page.”
