£119m of European funding secured for South Wales metro

An artist's impressions of a Metro Vehicle in Cardiff Central station. Credit: KeolisAmey

First Minister Carwyn Jones has confirmed £119million of EU funding has been secured to progress work on the South Wales Metro.

Work is underway to transform the current Core Valley Lines rail network as part of the South Wales Metro Phase 2 programme, which will provide a faster and more frequent service for the heads of the valleys stations and a direct connection to Cardiff Bay.

The investment will go towards doubling the number of trains to the heads of the valleys stations from two per hour to four. It will also be used to modernise stations.

Work on South Wales Metro Phase 2 is expected to be completed by 2023.

Today’s funding announcement includes:

  • £21.1million for the Merthyr line for track doubling between Merthyr Tydfil and Pentrebach, and between Merthyr Vale and Quakers Yard. New platforms will be built to accommodate the track doubling, with an improved interchange at Merthyr Tydfil station, new ramped access at Pentrebach and a new platform and footbridge at Quakers Yard.

  • £27.4million for the Treherbert line for works along the full length of the line, including track doubling from north of Ynyswen to the south of Treorchy and north of Llwynypia to south of Dinas. The scheme also includes new platforms.

  • £23.7million for the Aberdare line for track doubling, new platform construction and other work so the service can increase to four trains per hour along the full length of the line from Abercynon to Aberdare. Track doubling will take place between Aberdare and Cwmbach, Fernhill and Penrhiwceiber, and north of Abercynon. The scheme includes a new platform, new step-free access and new waiting rooms at Aberdare, and an enhanced interchange at Abercynon.

  • £19.5million for the Rhymney line for double tracks south of Rhymney, north of Tir Phil and around Bargoed. The funding will also be used for other work for increasing the services to four trains per hour and provide new platforms, including step-free access and a new waiting room at Rhymney.

  • £27.3million will also be allocated to the Taff’s Well Depot scheme for land purchase, road build and rail access, providing land for a new high quality depot facility to improve the reliability of the Metro service and allow the maintenance of the new trains.