Tuesday 25 Nov 2008
CONNECTING WALES: NETWORK RAIL STRATEGY SIGNALS BETTER SERVICES
- Region & Route:
- National
More trains, better connections and improved reliability are at the heart of a new wide-ranging strategy unveiled by Network Rail to develop passenger and freight services in Wales.
Building on recent significant investment on the railway in Wales, the Wales Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) outlines a plan to further strengthen rail links throughout the country, while improving reliability and reducing journey times. The RUS also analyses population, employment and housing forecasts and predicts that rail usage could increase by 31% by 2019.
Taking a long-term approach, the RUS sets out the industry’s preferred strategy that should be adopted over the next 10 years to help meet this rise in demand.
Today’s publication follows a twelve week consultation period with stakeholders after the draft strategy was launched at the end of May this year. The main proposals include boosting links between north and south Wales, mid-Wales and the east Midlands, and significantly increasing the number of train services that can run through Cardiff and south east Wales.
The strategy covers more than 900 route miles of railway in Wales and parts of the border region in England. Approximately 15% of these route miles are heavily used, with around half located within 30 miles of Cardiff.
Highlights of the strategy include:
- New platforms at Cardiff Queen Street, Pontypridd and Caerphilly to allow the long-term aim of 16 trains per hour through the South Wales Valley network, and more platform capacity at Cardiff Central for the Valleys trains
- Upgrading the signalling at Abergavenny to improve frequency and journey times between north and south Wales, and to provide more capacity for long-distance freight traffic
- Possible redoubling of the line between Wrexham and Chester for greater capacity for the growing north-south passenger demand
- Doubling the frequency of passenger services between Cardiff and Maesteg
Dave Ward, route director for Network Rail said: “Following a detailed analysis and consultation, we have a robust strategy that builds upon the railway’s successful record of growth and improvement. I thank those who made a valuable contribution in the formation of this strategy as part of the consultation process.
“While rising demand for rail is good news for the industry, we have to meet the challenge of accommodating both passenger and freight growth. The changes ahead will help to deliver benefits for passengers by increasing capacity and providing greater opportunities to travel throughout Wales by train.”
The RUS was drawn up following a consultation with industry partners and other key stakeholders including the Welsh Assembly Government, Arriva Trains Wales, First Great Western, the Association of Train Operating Companies, and the freight operating companies as well as local authorities and passenger groups.
The RUS will now be submitted to the rail regulator, the ORR, which has 60 days to consider the proposals after which it will become an established industry strategy
A copy of the Wales RUS can be found on the Network Rail website: www.networkrail.co.uk
Notes to editors
Notes for editors Following the Railways Act 2005 the government gave Network Rail the responsibility to lead the production of Route Utilisation Strategies across the industry. The RUS process outlines ways to get the best out of the network by identifying what schemes and options would provide best value for money. More than 30m passengers travelled within Wales last year (April 2006 –April 2007). The largest volume of passenger journeys is in the south Wales region with 62% of all Welsh journeys starting or ending there. The RUS considered the following options to increase capacity, improve reliability and reduce journey times: South Wales - New park and ride facility at Llanwern, east of Newport - Linespeed increases on the relief lines between Newport and the Severn Tunnel junction - Doubling the frequency of passenger services between Cardiff and Maesteg by carrying out enhancement work at Cardiff Central, as well as the construction of a passing loop near Tondu on the Maesteg branch - Renewing the signalling at Newport and Cardiff within the next five to seven years - Upgrading the central route through Cardiff to increase the number of services from 12 trains per hour to 16 to address long term capacity issues - Four new through platforms at Cardiff Queen Street station, and an additional Valleys line platform at Cardiff Central, as well as enabling four platforms instead of just two currently to be used by Valley line services with the introduction of bi-directional signalling - Make better use of the City line - running between Radyr and Cardiff via Ninian Park - by increasing line speed and providing more track capacity in the Cardiff Canton area. This would make the line more suitable for long-distance higher speed services - Additional platforms at Caerphilly, Pontypridd and Barry to increase the number of services and reduce journey times North – South links - A major study is already underway to assess how journey times can be shortened, as well as increasing the number of services - Introduction of an express service starting this December with a reduced journey time - Signalling scheme to relieve capacity at a pinch-point near Abergavenny - Enhancements to Shrewsbury station, the natural hub for the north – south Wales, mid-Wales and the west Midlands services, and to increase platform capacity, making interchanges easier North Wales and north west England Passenger numbers are set to benefit from the introduction of the high frequency timetable on the West Coast Main Line, with better connections to London and the north west of England. The new timetable will herald an hourly service from London to Chester and a more frequent service to Bangor and Holyhead.Contact information
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