Rail works halt new early service

The new service arriving for the first time on Monday in Cardiff

An early bird train service between north and south Wales was cancelled due to engineering works - only 24 hours after it was launched.

Rail passengers in north Wales faced major disruption as the work overran.

The Gerallt Gymro service from Holyhead to Cardiff was one of the services affected. Work should have finished at 0515 GMT, the line reopened at 0945.

A Network Rail spokesperson said the delay was caused when machinery broke down and a replacement pipe was needed.

"A piece of on track machinery broke down and a replacement hydraulic pipe was needed," said the spokesperson.

Gerallt Gymro

"The engineers did not have a spare pipe with them, and they had to travel to their depot in Ellesmere Port to pick up a replacement pipe.

"Unfortunately this meant that early morning trains were unable to travel between Rhyl and Abergele."

The line heading to Chester reopened at 0925 and the line to Holyhead at 0945.

The new business-aimed Gerallt Gymru service, run by Arriva trains, left Holyhead at 0532 this morning and reached Llandudno Junction before becoming caught up in the disruption.

Arriva confirmed that the line is now open but they are currently rescheduling their services.

It is understood its evening peak services, including the Gerallt Gymro's return journey, will run as usual.

Virgin trains also had to cancel their services from Holyhead.

Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones was on the Holyhead to Cardiff train on Monday launching the new train, which aims to cut around 20 minutes off the journey from north to south.

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said: "We are very disappointed to hear about the unforeseen engineering problems which caused the cancellation of the new express north to south Wales service this morning.

"However we are sure the new service will prove to be a great success. Arriva Trains Wales expects all its services to run as usual for the evening peak which includes the Gerallt Gymro's return journey."