Media centre

Monday 8 Jul 2013

Rail Improvement Delivers a New Beginning to South West Wales

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

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Minister for Transport, Edwina Hart will announce the completion of a £48 million program of improvements to rail services in South West Wales.

When
Monday 8 July 2013, 9:30am for a 10am start

Where
Gowerton Railway Station, Station Road, Gowerton, Swansea, SA4 3AJ

If you would like to attend, would like more information or to request interviews please contact:siobhan.dillon@wales.gov.uk / 029 20898665, or mavis.choong@networkrail.co.uk / 07515 620 384

A £48m programme to deliver more trains and a more reliable service to passengers in South West Wales has now been completed.

Supported by the Welsh Government and Network Rail, the upgrade means that Gowerton station - which now boasts two platforms and upgraded facilities – will be served by an additional 95 services every week.

In addition, passengers can expect fewer delays on the railway with the bottleneck removed at Loughor viaduct and better experience with new ticketing machines installed at several stations by Arriva Trains Wales.

The Minister for Transport, Edwina Hart was joined by representatives from Network Rail, the South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium and Arriva Trains Wales at Gowerton railway station today to officially launch the new services.

Mrs Hart said: “The Welsh Government’s priority is to ensure that we have a transport system that helps improve the economic competiveness of Wales and that provides good access to jobs and services and reducing poverty for the people of Wales.

“Better links between communities mean better access to employment, education training and leisure opportunities which is a key aspect of tackling economic and social deprivation, and I am pleased that we have been able to support this important project.”

Mark Langman, route managing director for Network Rail Wales, said: “The announcement today marks a new beginning for the railway in South West Wales. And this is made possible owing to a shared vision and a strong partnership, which we want to emulate in other parts of Wales.

“Investment in rail has proven to be a catalyst for economic growth and we see huge untapped opportunities in Wales. Our work to unlock the potential in Wales has only just started and we continue to welcome any opportunities to work together with our partners to help this country thrive and grow.”

Mike Bagshaw, commercial director for Arriva Trains Wales, said; "These changes are good news for passengers in South West Wales. We regularly review our services in partnership with Welsh government, other key stakeholders and by listening to our customers. Many passengers, including commuters and visitors to the area will see real benefits from this package of changes.

“These improvements demonstrate Arriva Trains Wales' continued commitment to enhance services across Wales, making full use of Welsh Government's investment in new infrastructure and efficient use of our fleet of trains".

Passengers will benefit from more trains and improved services:

• Six additional stops at Gowerton railway station in each direction providing an hourly off peak and evening weekday service as well as extra trains on a Sunday.
• One Cardiff-Swansea service extended to Llanelli to provide additional capacity in the evening peak.
• Two Swansea to Cardiff services extended to Newport
• Retimed early Cardiff – Swansea service
• Improved capacity on all Pembroke Dock services

They will also benefit from infrastructure improvements including:

• An additional track at Loughor that will allow trains to continue to run when one of the lines is shut or congested meaning better performance and fewer delays.
• A bigger, more accessible and more secure Gowerton station with two platforms, a new accessible footbridge with ramps, real-time customer information system, CCTVs and better lighting
• Modernised signalling infrastructure and enhanced crossing equipment at Duffryn to improve infrastructure reliability and safety
• Stronger bridges at Traffle Mill, Gypsy Cross and Rhosog