CLOSURES will be in place on a Newport footbridge until early 2018 due to railway improvement works.

The Tunnel Terrace Footbridge, near Bridge Street, will close from Sunday, September 24 while Network Rail carries out modernisation work.

The city centre bridge - which connects Tunnel Terrace with Albert Terrace and runs over the South Wales Mainline - is currently too low to accommodate overhead line equipment needed for electrification work.

Network Rail state that the works will involve "jacking" the bridge and during the closure, pedestrians will be able to use the neighbouring footpath on Bridge Street road bridge.

Route managing director for Network Rail in Wales, Andy Thomas, said: “Our railway is vital to economic growth, linking people, businesses and communities.

"We are preparing the railway for the equipment needed to power trains running on electricity as part of our railway upgrade plan, which will help to provide more seats for passengers".

He added: “I would like to thank the local community for their patience while we carry out upgrade work to raise Tunnel Terrace footbridge in Newport and reassure them that we are doing all we can to keep disruption to a minimum.”

Rail passengers are advised to check before travelling as services between Newport and Cardiff will be reduced between September 23 and October 29 as work continues to modernise the South Wales Mainline.

For more information on rail services and replacement buses visit www.nationalrail.co.uk or call Travel Line Cymru on 0800 464 0000