Media centre

Thursday 29 May 2008

THE RAILWAY IN WALES: THE NEXT DECADE’S STRATEGY

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Extra platforms, new stations, longer trains and more tracks are among the list of options unveiled today in a draft strategy to develop the passenger and freight railway in Wales. Drawn up by Network Rail along with industry partners, for consultation, the Wales Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) compiles the industry’s aspirations and examines 24 options to cater to nearly 40 million passengers by 2018.

Passenger growth in Wales is predicted to rise by 25% in 10 years. The options will address such changing demands as well as aspirations to strengthen links between north and south Wales, by boosting capacity on the central corridor through Cardiff and improving journey times on the north – south routes.

Among the options reviewed are:

· Re-doubling single track between Wrexham and Chester and upgrade signalling at Abergavenny to improve frequency and journey time between north and south Wales.

· Additional infrastructure, including new platforms at Cardiff Central, Pontypridd and Caerphilly to facilitate the long-term vision of 16 trains per hour through South Wales Valley network.

· New stations at Llanwern and Energlyn, to support residential development in these areas.

· Reinstate double track layout between Llanelli and Swansea to improve performance and consequently, encourage more train usage at Gowerton.

· New freight terminal and connection at Blaenau Ffestiniog to improve trainload quantities of slate waste.

Dave Ward, Route Director, Network Rail says,

“The consultation document presents a set of realistic, cost-effective yet far-reaching measures to get the best out of the network. The Welsh rail network owes its current state of development to significant investment and strong industry partnership. The options will continue to build on these strengths as well as benefit from recent investment, including the £400m South Wales Resignalling scheme. “

“Consultation is a key part of the route strategy process and we look forward to hearing the views of a wide range of interested parties, including local authorities and user groups. The final strategy document will present policy makers with a factual analysis, allowing them to make decisions on what projects to be funded and advanced.”

Network Rail and its key transport partners in Wales, including the Welsh Assembly Government, Arriva Trains Wales, First Great Western, the Association of Train Operating Companies, and the freight operating companies, have been working for the past year to develop this draft route strategy.

Further rigorous analysis and appraisal will be done on the options to ensure that only those offering greatest benefit to passengers and best value for money are included in the final strategy. The consultation closes on 22 August 2008 and the final strategy will be published by end of this year.

The document will also be presented to Assembly Members of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay on 4 June 2008. The event will be hosted by Transport Minister, Ieaun Wyn Jones AM.