Work starts to electrify train line for South Wales Metro scheme which promises faster journey times

A major rail line has been closed for over two weeks as Transport for Wales prepares for the introduction of brand new electric-tram trains.

The work is part of the Welsh Government's South Wales Metro plan to improve public transport and better connect communities in the valleys.

It will see new stations and tracks being built to improve connectivity, increase capacity and cut journey times.

The line between Aberdare and Pontypridd closed on Sunday and will remain shut until September 12 to allow engineering work for the new trains which promise more services and faster journey times.

The new trains are powered by overhead lines, reducing travel times between Aberdare and Cardiff.

This will allow the train company to increase services to four every hour.

The work is part of a wider efforts to electrify the Coryton, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney and Treherbert lines, also known as the Core Valleys Lines.

Senior Construction and Safety Assurance Manager, James Meredith, said: "We're upgrading the track which will allow trains to move quicker.

"We're redoubling lines and adding loop lines which will allow trains to pass meaning we can increase the frequencies of trains."

The Welsh Government hope the new metro system will encourage more people to ditch their cars and use public transport instead.

Wales has a target of reaching Net Zero emissions by 2050 with transport currently accounting for 17% of emissions.

Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters, said the key to responding to the climate crisis is to "make the right thing to do the easy thing to do."

He said: "At the moment using public transport is often not as easy as jumping in the car and we need to switch that around.

"This is what the metro is all about, the frequency of trains will be so common that it's just easier to use.

"That's essential to meet the scientific warnings that we're facing."