Train passengers are being urged to check before travelling as engineers work to bring new signalling systems into use.

The weekend of March 24 and 25 marks a milestone in the £50m North Wales railway upgrade project, when a state of the art signalling system between Shotton and Colwyn Bay will come into use for the first time.

Engineers will be carrying out final testing and commissioning of the new signalling system from this weekend.

The work forms part of Network Rail’s railway upgrade plan and will increase the resilience and reliability of the railway for passengers in North Wales.

Network Rail is working in partnership with Arriva Trains Wales and Virgin Trains to minimise disruption during delivery of the North Wales railway upgrade project.

Replacement bus services will be in operation between Llandudno Junction and Chester on Sunday (March 18), Saturday March 24, Sunday March 25, Sunday April 8, Sunday April 15, Sunday April 22, Sunday April 29 and Sunday May 13. Passengers are advised to check before they travel at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Richard Evans, programme manager for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “I would like to thank residents and passengers for their patience during the installation of the new signalling system.

“We will be working closely with Arriva Trains Wales and our industry partners to minimise disruption to passengers and residents as we complete this essential work.”

Bethan Jelfs, customer services director for Arriva Trains Wales said: “Upgrade work on the railway in North Wales is excellent news in terms of running reliable and efficient services for our customers now and in the future.

“We are working closely with our partners in Network Rail to ensure this valuable work impacts as few of our customers as possible. We would like to thank our customers for their patience and ask passengers to check before they travel.”

As well as the new signalling system, the North Wales railway upgrade project also includes the installation of new track along the railway line in Flint, Rhyl, Mostyn and Abergele. The project is set to be completed by the summer 2018.