Media centre

Friday 6 Feb 2015

Welsh Secretary visits state-of-the-art Welsh operations centre to see how Network Rail is delivering a more reliable railway for passengers

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Secretary of State for Wales, Stephen Crabb MP and Wales Office Minister Alun Cairns visited the Wales rail operating centre in Cardiff today to see how state-of-the-art technology makes running the railway more efficient and reliable for passengers.

Mark Langman, route managing director for Network Rail Wales, showed Mr Crabb and Mr Cairns around the operations centre and introduced him to staff on the signalling floor who manage the signals in South Wales, as well as the line from Shrewsbury to Crewe.

This floor will expand as the signalling across the Wales route is modernised with new technology.

Stephen Crabb said: "This evening, many thousands of rugby supporters will travel to Cardiff by train to mark the opening Six Nations match in Cardiff - one of the many events that do so much to contribute to the Welsh economy.

"Modernising transport infrastructure is part of our long term economic plan to help hardworking people travel to and from work, help businesses grow and support our tourism and event industry.

"The rail improvements in South Wales are great news for people living here, and they help make Wales a more attractive place to live, work and invest – which is crucial for strengthening the Welsh economy.”

Passenger numbers in Wales have grown significantly over the last 10 years and this unprecedented growth is forecast to continue.

Network Rail is meeting the challenge to deliver a railway that meets the demands and needs of passengers by transforming the railway in South Wales through electrification and upgraded stations, as well as delivering the potential to boost capacity on the Cardiff and Valleys network.

This will help to deliver a more reliable railway for passengers with the potential for more seats and faster journeys in the future.

Mark Langman, route managing director for Network Rail Wales, said: “The Wales rail operating centre in Cardiff employs state of the art technology to make running the railway more efficient and reliable.

“Over the next five years, we will deliver the biggest investment in the Welsh railway since Victorian times, which will modernise and transform the railway in Wales through electrification, new signalling technology and upgraded stations.

“By creating a world-class infrastructure we can boost the local economy by helping to bring people closer together, making Wales more competitive and a better place to do business.”

There are more than 100 staff working at the centre, which is designed to enable operational control, fleet management and passenger information to work as one unit. It has advanced signalling tools and technology to help reduce delays, improve performance, increase capacity and provide better information to passengers.

The building is one of the greenest railway facilities in Wales with eco-friendly designs including solar panels, rainwater harvesting and solar reflective glass to reduce the need for air-conditioning.