COMMUTERS in Gwent using the South Wales mainline have expressed their frustration with the ongoing electrification works causing overcrowding and timetable issues.

As part of the electrification on the line, the Severn Tunnel has been closed since Monday from Newport to Bristol with a replacement bus service put in place by provider Great Western Rail (GWR).

The altered service has also had a knock-on impact on rail passengers from Newport heading westbound into Cardiff and some fear that ‘overcrowding’ and ‘incorrect timetable’ issues will continue as work continues over the next five weeks.

Katie Adams travels to Bristol Temple Meads from Newport in her role as a magazine designer and said that delays to her 90-minute each way journey meant she was getting home nearly two hours later than usual in the evening.

She has been speaking to GWR each day via Twitter as it’s seen ‘as the way to contact them’ and wants them to note her problems in the hope of changes being made and some compensation to her £244 monthly ticket.

Miss Adams, of Caerleon, said: “Mostly it has been quite disruptive and I have struggled to get to and from work. The most annoying part is they just don’t give us enough time whilst the timetables have been incorrect.

“The replacement bus has been struck in traffic meaning we miss the 10 minute changeover window in Bristol and have to wait half an hour for the next service. It has meant I get home a lot later and I’m worried that as it gets dark earlier it will have a bigger impact on my evenings, I wish I could take five weeks holiday from work.”

Some have reported that there were less trains and coaches running from Newport to Cardiff than there are normally. Martin Sharp said he is unable to take his bicycle with him to work as it’s so packed on his £72 a-month service ‘it’d be impossible to get it on the train’.

Mr Sharp, 43, of Ponthir, said: “The normal timetable is seven trains between 7am and 8.30am, four are run by GWR run with eight coaches each. The others have two or three coaches.

“These are normally busy and now, there are only four trains that you can catch at that time. I’m cross, you get to work stressed and not feeling very comfortable. I have been very sweaty when getting to the office in the mornings, it’s so unpleasant.”

A GWR spokesman said: “Some services between Newport and Cardiff were busier than we expected after some media reports suggested this was the only way to get between Wales and England by train. We put additional coaches on to accommodate additional passengers, but are urging customers to use GWR.com to plan their journey and make sure they get the correct advice.

“On the whole, we’re pleased with how our services have run and we’ve had positive feedback from customers who think any additional journey time is largely outweighed by the improvements that the Severn Tunnel work will deliver. Of course, some things do go wrong and we are always looking at ways to improve the service.”