Extensive rail developments involving trains from Radyr could cause weekly delays until service is launched in 2023
A NEW £750m Metro service being developed across much of South Wales will cause disruptions to evening rail services this week and beyond.
Developments on rail lines from Radyr to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil are due to last some time to make them capable of running new tram trains. This is all part of major works for a new Metro service.
This work means that these lines will have closures from 8pm to 5am from Sunday to Thursday each week until March 2022 on trains from Radyr.
These closures could cause disruptions for some travellers. But a rail replacement bus service is already in place for those travelling within these times.
‘’This seems like it is a good idea and I hope it is more efficient,
‘’I am a teaching assistant, so I hope there are not too many delays as I start work early,’’ said Anna Elliott, 52, of Cwrt-ty-Mynydd.
The work underway on the new Metro will not just affect trains from Radyr.
‘’Developments will be taking place in various areas across South Wales for a number of years,’’ a TfW spokesperson told me.
The new Metro is due to launch across the region in 2023 and would see upgrades to all stations and signalling in South Wales.
‘’This is all part of a £750m project on the Core Valleys lines north of Cardiff Queen Street station,’’ the spokesperson told me.
The works, which started 18 months ago, will involve electrifying nearly 200km of rail lines to make them capable of running tram trains.
As well as this, work is ongoing to manage issues of vegetation and access to stations across the region.
‘’This is a brand-new service which will see faster journeys,’’ said a TfW spokesperson.
It is also understood that the new service will be a greener way to travel as the new tram trains will be electrically powered.
TfW say that early morning trains after 5am for those getting to work will not be affected by the closures.
A spokesperson said: ‘’additional delays are unlikely’’. The route from Cardiff Central to Radyr will not be affected by current delays.
‘’I think it is rather impressive,’’ rail traveller Paul Hooker, 59, of Drysgol Road, said of the new Metro service.
Robert Hinton, 72, of Green Place said: ‘’When you get to my age progress is inevitable and I hope this will be beneficial.’’
