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New maps reveal scale of ‘ambitious and complex’ £1bn Welsh Metro project

20 Oct 2021 4 minute read
South Wales Metro: Emerging priorities. Transport for Wales

New maps have been unveiled which reveal the enormous scale of a £1bn Welsh Metro project.

Lee Waters, the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, who has responsibility for transport said the “Welsh Metro project will be one of the most ambitious and complex programmes we’ve ever undertaken.”

Speaking just a week before the Welsh Government publishes its Net Zero plans in the run up to COP26, the Deputy Minister said how the project would deliver on plans set out in Llwybr Newydd, the Wales Transport Strategy, by creating a modern, integrated and sustainable transport network that supports modern lifestyles.

He says that the Metro will make it the easier choice for people to use their cars less and public transport and active travel more, to significantly reduce our environmental impact and help Wales reach its Net Zero carbon target by 2050.

The new maps, made available for the first time today, illustrate the ambitious short and longer term plans that the programme will deliver.

Longer term projects South Wales Metro. transport for Wales

The options include:

  • 172km of electrification to improve journey times and frequency
  • Up to 30% more services to improve connectivity across Wales, such as new tram-trains offering fast turn-up-and-go services at 45 stations on Valleys Lines by 2024
  • New and improved rail and bus services and active travel routes to reduce rural isolation, provide a door-to-door commuting experience and open up job, business and leisure opportunities across North Wales
  • New integrated tickets and more flexible fare options delivered through new technology on all buses and more than 200 new ticket machines at stations
  • New and improved train stations across Wales to provide a viable public transport alternative to the congested road network and;
    100% renewable energy powering overhead wires to reduce our carbon footprint
  • As well as connecting communities the project is already delivering economic benefits across Wales – promoting careers in engineering for children and women, providing job opportunities for veterans, and creating pathways to help offenders with their rehabilitation into stable and rewarding and employment.
South Wales Mainline: Emerging priorities. Transport for Wales

‘Not simply a transport project’ 

Deputy Minister Lee Waters said: “The Metro is not simply a transport project, it’s about changing the lives of people across Wales and is an excellent example of how investment in tackling climate change has far broader community benefits.

“Improving our public transport and active travel network routes is the right and responsible thing to do for the environment – making low carbon transport options more attractive, affordable, and easier to use – enabling people to leave their car at home particularly in the more densely populated parts of Wales linking up with active travel routes to provide door-to-door journeys in an integrated, sustainable transport network.”

South Wales Mainline: Longer term projects. Transport for Wales

He added: “Next month we will be attending COP26 – the most important COP since Paris in 2015 – and we will take a clear message to Glasgow that Wales is a globally responsible nation – ambitious projects like this prove that and show how everyone here is willing to play a part to combat global warming.”

The Welsh Government has also announced today an additional £2m cash injection to expand existing plans for South East and South West Wales metros, to include new bus and rail stations and services as well more active travel routes making public transport more attractive and accessible and connecting communities.


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Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago

Match that Gwynedd…please sir can we have a main line from Caernarfon to Porthmadog…

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

No point in getting envious M.M that’s a map and means nothing at all unless they crack on with the substantial works needed, not words.

Last edited 2 years ago by hdavies15
Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago
Reply to  hdavies15

Ha Ha Ha…That was my first thought then I thought I saw the promised land…spent a good portion of my day marvelling at the roundabouts of the Caernarfon by-pass, so I do know miracles can happen…

Dai Rob
Dai Rob
2 years ago

Ahhh…this again…..the good old SOUTH EAST WALES METRO!!
Not an inch anywhere West of Maesteg!!
Needs a name change quick!!!!!!! :S

Vaughan
Vaughan
2 years ago

Another press release on this subject no doubt.
All talk.

Stephen
Stephen
2 years ago

South Wales needs more investment, I’d redirect money from North Wales to the South.

Llwynog Abertawe
Llwynog Abertawe
2 years ago
Reply to  Stephen

All of Wales needs more investment; redirecting money from the north to the south isn’t the answer.

Chris Page
Chris Page
2 years ago

Meanwhile we no longer have evening services on the Pembroke Dock Line, so if you want a day out you have to drive. I laugh at the stupidity of radio adverts exhorting us to enjoy a day out by train, NOT possible from this line, unless you intend to head back mid afternoon no surprise that they cut the neglected underfunded unloved link for south Pembrokeshire, it’s almost like they want to close it. Promises of “jam tomorrow” are no consolation where we have had services cut causing many problems for working people and others who want to be out… Read more »

Owain
Owain
2 years ago

Brilliant idea! I wonder if there’s such thing as North Wales?!?

Welshjack
Welshjack
2 years ago
Reply to  Owain

There isn’t even a South West Wales so what chance have you got

Meic
Meic
2 years ago

Just prior to the pandemic the railway had just about reached capacity in the South East And it’s also very expensive and inconvenient. M4 cancelled two years ago and everyone is still just talking …

Mike the Bike
Mike the Bike
2 years ago

This is good if it comes to proper fruition – people later down the line cant get on trains at peak times as-is so give up and drive or are always late for work. This however is no excuse to not address the M4 2 lane bottleneck further East around Newport. Heads in the sand over that – what was adequate 20 years ago is no longer fit for purpose or business. Accept that rather than bang on about Active Travel as some false panacea- much as it works for me personally.

Mark H
Mark H
2 years ago

Not surprised to see Wales has gone just as Southern Centric as England always has been. Is the North getting a couple of extra double deckers and another ancient Tube train conversion to make it all good? Welcome to our club North Wales. Love Northern England.

Chris
Chris
2 years ago

Nothing for North Wales again, all in South Wales as usual, labour punishing the North because it votes conservative against them

Llwynog Abertawe
Llwynog Abertawe
2 years ago
Reply to  Chris

Party politics, am I right?
Welsh Government accusses Westminster of not giving us enough money nor development, then Cardiff does the same to the north.
The end result? South Wales continues to vote Labour because of Westminster; the north continues to vote Conservative because of South Wales.
The best solution would be to either get a Conservative Senedd or Labour seats in North Wales.

mike
mike
2 years ago

meanwhile road system in Cardiff has become a joke due to ridiculous cycle lanes, roads full of potholes, traffic jams belching out fumes, city centre dead, M4 a joke as slower than an A road. well done! Vanity project.

Owen Gareth
Owen Gareth
2 years ago

Typical a press release before a major conference on climate Blah Blah ,talk about filling your boots with cash for the labour voteing gulable South no wonder we have a north /South divide this has been talked about for years this will take another 30 years to sort out… we need more investment in the North first makes your blood boil ….take the A470 as an example it’s a joke

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