Transport for Wales assumes day-to-day maintenance of railway lines
Transport for Wales has taken over the day-to-day maintenance of local railway lines including Aberdare and Treherbert – in an important step towards delivering improved rail services for Rhondda Cynon Taf by 2023.
The South Wales Metro will be built and operated by Transport for Wales, to deliver multi-million pound infrastructure improvements and make travelling quicker, easier and more convenient. The number of services operating each hour will increase – including four trains to the top of each line, eight services operating south of Abercynon and 12 services operating south of Pontypridd.
From June 2, Transport for Wales – which will soon to be based in Pontypridd – has taken over the day-to-day maintenance of local railway lines, replacing Network Rail in that role. The change follows the transfer of ownership of these lines to the Welsh Government. This means that all decisions related to rail tracks and services on these lines are made in Wales, and is an important step in Transport for Wales’ delivery of the Metro.
Transport for Wales will communicate to residents any works involved with delivering the Metro project likely to cause disruption. Much of this work will take place at night, enabling train lines to remain open in the daytime. Electrification of the Aberdare, Treherbert and Merthyr lines will require cables to run to the top of each line, with battery technology powering trains under overhead obstructions – avoiding major works to structures such as bridges.
Other improvements utilising Metro funding will include station, signal and level crossing upgrades and a new station at Treforest Estate – while the Porth Transport Hub, at the heart of a wider town regeneration plan, will also receive Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and Welsh Government funding.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation, said: “Delivering better rail services in Rhondda Cynon Taf and right across South Wales is hugely important, and the £734m South Wales Metro investment will be delivered across the region in the next few years.
“Commuters in Rhondda Cynon Taf will benefit from a much-needed upgrade from the current offer – with electrification delivering faster, more frequent services along with infrastructure improvements. The recent change is important as the company responsible for delivering the Metro, Transport for Wales, is now in control of the day-to-day maintenance of local railway lines – with the whole process now being carried out within Wales."
