Cancellations and timetable changes to train services between Wrexham, Shotton and Bidston

Transport for Wales (TfW) services between Wrexham, Shotton and Bidston are once again subject to change due to a quarter of trains in Wales currently being out of service.

Trains will depart Bidston at 8.32am, 10.32am, 1.32pm, 2.32pm, 4.32pm, 6.45pm and then as per the advertised timetable.

Replacement buses will run in place of those trains which have been cancelled – the is timetable below:

Wrexham Bidston Rail Users’ Association (WBRUA) has said the current situation is “very concerning”  and the weekday reduction is impacting many people who have to use the line to get to and from work, school or college.

The WBRUA says it has made strong representations to TfW Rail services about the situation in the line. 

A WBRUA spokesperson said: 

“The Association has noted with concern that the announced alterations do not include any significant service reductions on the more frequent Valleys and Cardiff local routes which use the same type of train (where there is often viable alternative transport available as well).

“Whilst a replacment bus is running for the cancelled trains, this is not a viable alternative as it can take over two hours to cover the route.

The WBRUA is of the view that the current infrequent hourly weekday service on the Wrexham-Bidston line (which should to go to half hourly by 2021) should only be reduced as a last resort and in extreme circumstances because of the severe problems such a reduction will cause to those who depend on the service.”

TfW took out a full page advert in several newspapers on Tuesday to issue an apology about that current state of train services across Wales.

It said:

“We’re sorry that over recent weeks too many trains have been cancelled, delayed, or have arrived with fewer carriages than normal.

We know that overcrowding and uncertainty are big challenges for people, and we want to apologise that you haven’t received the service that you deserve and expect.

Safety is our top priority.

Ongoing issues associated with recent storms in combination with ageing trains have led to an unprecedented number of our trains being out of service, and this has meant that we have had to run reduced services across the whole of our network.

36 trains out of a total fleet of 127 are currently under repair.

We are running additional buses to replace services that have been cancelled and to provide extra capacity where we expect trains will be very busy.

This will continue for as long as is needed, but we’re also working hard to safely and effectively return trains back into service.

Our engineers are working around the clock to repair the existing fleet of trains and keep the tracks clear of debris during the blustery and slippery autumn weather.

Our maintenance depots are operating 24-hours a day, and we are working with suppliers to speed up these essential repairs.

We know that you, our customers, deserve better from your rail services in Wales and the Borders, and this is not what you expected from your new operator.

We apologise for the inconvenience and want to reassure you that we are doing all we can to improve service levels as soon as possible.

You can find more information about service disruption and claiming compensation for delays by visiting www.tfwrail.wales

We are at the beginning of a journey to transform rail services in Wales, but change takes time. Thank you for bearing with us.”