Rail passengers are being urged to check before they travel on the Newport/Shrewsbury line as Network Rail embarks on upgrade works over six consecutive weekends from June 11 to July 17.

Engineers will be carrying out essential maintenance work, track renewals – including some significant work at Shrewsbury station – and signalling upgrade work in and around Hereford station, as part of the company’s Railway Upgrade Plan.

An Arriva Trains Wales spokesperson said, “A rail replacement service will be running between the stations at Newport, Cwmbran, Pontypool and New Inn, Abergavenny, Hereford, Leominister, Ludlow, Craven Arms, Church Stretton and Shrewsbury.

“We are advising customers to allow more time for their journey, especially on the weekend of June 11/12 where work on the Onibury level crossing on the A49 will lead to longer diversions.

“We regret that dogs (except guide dogs), cycles, prams and large items of luggage cannot be carried on replacement bus services.

“There will also be other engineering works taking part on other parts of the rail network in the area over weekends in June and July so passengers are urged to check their weekend journey plans in advance at nationalrail.co.uk.”

Paul McMahon, Wales route managing director for Network Rail, said, “These essential improvement works will mean better, more reliable journeys for the record numbers of passengers using the railway.

“We have scheduled these works during the weekends to minimise disruption to passengers.”

* One exception during the upgrading programme will be Saturday July 9 when trains will be running between Newport and Hereford due to an event at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.