The possibility of a high-speed rapid transport system for the valleys is to be discussed by Assembly Members next week.
Several politicians, including Plaid Cymru South Wales East AMs Lindsay Whittle and Jocelyn Davies, have proposed the debate calling for the Assembly to welcome support for an integrated rapid transit system for the valleys.
The system would be based on the valleys’ current rail network and be similar to the metro systems in place in cities around the world.
It is the second Individual Member Debate to come before the Assembly and takes advantage of the Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM’s drive to make Assembly business more responsive to current issues and more accessible to non-government Members and their constituents.
Put forward by 11 AMs, the motion also recognises that electrification of the valleys’ rail network is a non-devolved matter and a pre-requisite of the development of a metro-style system.
“Individual Member Debates allow Members to raise local or regional matters that are of particular significance or relevance,” said the Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM.
“They are an opportunity for non-government Members to raise issues of concern to them and the communities they serve and reflect how we are opening up Assembly business to make it more responsive and accessible.
“These differ from the Short Debate process because Members will put a motion forward upon which all AMs will then vote.
“This will provide the scope in Plenary sessions for Members to bring forward their own motions which have attracted support from Members of other parties.”
This is a vital missing element in the infrastructure of the area and is much needed. On the other hand I can recall at least two other similar proposals which came to nothing.
What I have never understood is why building has been permitted on the track beds of our existing rail network? The railways were closed because they were not economic but economies change.
One example is the Aber valley branch line, complete with bridges designed for a twin track line. When this line was closed, around 1976, no thought was given for future use beyond keeping part of it as a footpath. I am sure that the people of Penyrheol and the Aber Valley would love to see this line re-opened as a link to Caerffili and Cardiff.
Sadly, in less than forty years, the bridges have been destroyed and houses built along parts of the route. This is just one example among many.
I share John Owen's view that we will be lucky if anything comes of these ideas for, a very necessary, improvement in our transport infrastructure as politicians tend to only think as far ahead as the next election.
I agree with Richard, it was folly to build on the old railway tracks,sixty years ago you could go from Caerphilly to Ponypridd and Newport directly by train. Among others the old Caerphilly Machen line is a case in point, it would have been ideal for use as a light railway, improving the infrastructure of the lower Rhymney valley and giving alternative access to Newport from Caerphilly, and helping Cardiff commuters the other.
Sadly, its not cool to use the railway system, I can get to my daughter`s in Llandaff in less than forty minutes from Caerphilly, using the City line to Danescourt, but with a huge potential commuter demand in the area to the centre of Cardiff, I`ve seldom seen the trains full, even at rush hour, while Llantrisant Road is solid from the Danescourt Roundabout, down to the BBC roundabout and on into Cardiff.