The Welsh Government is accelerating efforts to future-proof the nation's transport infrastructure as climate change continues to increase pressure on roads, railways, ports and public transport services.
Working alongside transport operators and local authorities, ministers are implementing measures designed to improve resilience across Wales' transport network, ensuring critical services can continue operating during periods of extreme weather.
The move comes amid growing concerns over the impact of rising temperatures, severe storms, flooding and coastal pressures on key transport infrastructure.
Mark Hooper, Wales' Deputy Minister for Transport, said:
"Climate change is already affecting Wales, with hotter, drier summers, milder and wetter winters, sea-level rise, and increased risks of flooding, drought and wildfire.
“Working with our partners, we are taking practical action to build a transport system that can withstand future pressures and continue to serve the people of Wales.
“We cannot prevent every disruption caused by extreme weather - but we can be better prepared, more resilient and more responsive.
“People rightly expect transport services to be there when they need them and we have a responsibility to make sure our network is ready to cope with a changing climate."
This summer's extreme temperatures exposed vulnerabilities across the rail network, with overheating issues affecting train cooling systems, speed restrictions introduced on some routes and knock-on pressure placed on alternative transport services.
In response, Transport for Wales is working closely with Network Rail to strengthen maintenance and inspection programmes, improve train cooling-system reliability and introduce enhanced weather-monitoring capabilities designed to reduce disruption before it impacts passengers.
The measures form part of a broader strategy aimed at improving operational resilience during periods of intense heat and other severe weather events.
Future-Proofing Wales' Bus Network
Bus services are also being reviewed through Wales' bus franchising programme, with resilience considerations increasingly influencing fleet replacement decisions.
Officials are working with Transport for Wales to ensure flooding risks, overheating, severe weather incidents and energy resilience are factored into future procurement strategies.
The objective is to provide passengers and drivers with modern vehicles better equipped to operate during challenging weather conditions while maintaining service reliability.
Recent storms, flooding events and heatwaves have prompted changes to how the Strategic Road Network is managed and maintained.
Transport authorities are applying lessons learned from recent weather-related incidents to strengthen preparedness and reduce future disruption.
Ahead of winter, salt and grit supplies are being closely monitored across Wales, while resilience and climate adaptation training is being rolled out across all 22 local authorities. The programme is intended to improve responses to flooding, landslips and storm-related impacts affecting regional road networks.
Wales' major ferry ports, including Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock, play a critical role in supporting passenger travel and freight movements between Wales and Ireland.
The prolonged disruption at Holyhead Port in December 2024 highlighted the economic and logistical consequences that can arise when a key transport gateway is affected.
In response to the incident, the Irish Sea Taskforce was established to examine how similar disruptions can be prevented and to improve coordinated responses should comparable incidents occur at any Welsh port in the future.
Looking ahead, Welsh transport policy is increasingly focused on delivering infrastructure that is both climate resilient and low carbon.
Future investment across rail, bus, Metro and road projects will incorporate adaptation measures designed to withstand the climate conditions expected over coming decades while supporting Wales' transition towards net zero.
Planning for future investment is already drawing on lessons from recent extreme weather events, ensuring new infrastructure is better prepared for future challenges.
A major resilience exercise involving partners from both sides of the Irish Sea is expected to take place in the coming months, testing preparedness for an unexpected closure of a Welsh port and strengthening cross-border response arrangements.
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