“tri-mode” unit on the Rhymney Line
The Rhymney Valley line is be upgraded after a total of £119 million in European Union funding was secured by the Welsh Government.
The works, which are part of phase two of the South Wales Metro project, will see track doubling south of Rhymney, north of Tir-Phil and around Bargoed. The funding will also be used for other infrastructure work to allow the service to be increased to four trains per hour and provide new platforms, including step-free access and a new waiting room at Rhymney. The upgrade will get £19.5 million in funding.
Other upgrades to get funding include: £21.1m for doubling track on the Merthyr line, new platforms and an improved interchange at Merthyr Tydfil station; £27.4m for the Treherbert line and new platforms; £23.7m to double the track on the Aberdare line, a new platform, new step-free access and waiting rooms at Aberdare, and an improved interchange at Abercynon; £27.3m for the Taff’s Well depot for land purchase, building roads and rail access.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “The South Wales Metro is an important part of our ambition as a government to improve public transport and better connect our Valleys communities and people to employment opportunities.
“Today’s confirmation of £119million EU funding means we can proceed with investment in infrastructure work on the valleys lines to make faster and more efficient journeys a reality for the thousands of rail users who use these routes daily.”
The Welsh Government is also applying for more than £40m in EU funding to support Metro infrastructure work, which it hopes will be secured by the end of this year.
Work on South Wales Metro Phase 2 is expected to be completed by 2023.