Merthyr line
This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: It needs more explanation of the South Wales Metro and corresponding changes to the line.(April 2022) |
Merthyr Line | |
---|---|
Rhondda Cynon Taff | |
Termini | |
Service | |
Type | Heavy rail |
System | National Rail |
Operator(s) | Transport for Wales Rail |
Rolling stock | Class 150 DMUs |
Technical | |
Line length | standard gauge |
The Merthyr line is a
History
The line is historically the
The Aberdare line was closed in 1964 under the
In 2005, following further grant from the Welsh Assembly, the stations at Abercynon, Penrhiwceiber, Fernhill, Cwmbach and Aberdare were extended to four-car length to accommodate longer peak trains in an initiative to relieve overcrowding, train leasing/running costs also funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The route
The line follows the
with separate branches to Merthyr and Aberdare up diverging valleys.The Merthyr branch serves Quakers Yard, Merthyr Vale, Troed-y-rhiw, Pentre-bach and Merthyr Tydfil. The Welsh Assembly Government confirmed in February 2007 that it is grant funding, in conjunction with European Union Objective 1 assistance, a scheme to upgrade the line north of Abercynon, including reinstatement of 2 miles of double track, to enable the introduction of a half-hourly train service, the revenue costs of which the Welsh Assembly Government will also meet. The enhanced service was said to commence in 2008 but postponed to May 2009.[3][4]
The Aberdare branch serves
Services
The line is currently operated by
Both the Merthyr and Aberdare branch lines have a half-hourly service during the day which decreases to hourly in the evening. On a Sunday service frequency decreases to two-hourly.
In December 2017,
Extension to Hirwaun
Since its termination at Aberdare following the
In 2006, a study by local transport alliance
In November 2009, WAG sponsored Network Rail in a feasibility study to reopening both the section to Hirwaun, and parts of the former Anglesey Central Railway between Llangefni on Anglesey, and Bangor. Network Rail has already begun work on gathering evidence for its study, beginning with cutting away vegetation on track sections to examine the condition of rails and track bedding. Its report was expected to be published in early 2010, before any business case to reopen the lines can be developed.[7]
It was announced in March 2011 that the Welsh Assembly Government's 2011–12 capital programme would include the re-opening of the line to Hirwaun as part of the Cynon Valley Scheme[8] although the project appears to have advanced little at that time. In 2019-2020, the Cardiff Capital Region's transport authority secured £100,000 of funding from the Welsh Government's Local Transport Fund to undertake a Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG) 1 study into the feasibility of extending Aberdare Line passenger services through reopened Trecynon and Hirwaun stations to a new terminus serving the Tower strategic development site.[9]
As already noted the line is now closed above Aberdare, but the aspiration to reopen with a passenger service remains, so the track is being retained in situ.
Electrification
On 16 July 2012 plans to electrify the line were announced by the Government as part of a £9.4bn package of investment of the railways in England and Wales.[10]
The announcement was made as an extension of the electrification of the South Wales Main Line from Cardiff to Swansea and the electrification of the south Wales Valley Lines at a total cost of £350 million. The investment will require new trains and should result in reduced journeys times and cheaper maintenance. Work was expected to start between 2014 and 2019.[11]
However, as part of Welsh Government's South Wales Metro this line has been taken over,[12] and is now being electrified[13] in preparation for new Class 398 tram-train rolling stock.[14]
See also
References
- ^ "Impact of Core Valley Lines divestment on the Wales & Western region" (PDF). orr.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ISBN 978-0-9549866-6-7.
- ^ Green Light for New Rail Links Welsh Assembly website. Retrieved 4 March 2009
- ^ New half-hourly train service due to start Wales Online. Retrieved 14 May 2009
- ^ "Christmas boost for Cynon Valley as Arriva Trains Wales confirms pilot of extra Sunday services". Arriva Trains Wales News. Archived from the original on 7 December 2017. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
- ^ "Extra Sunday Aberdare services confirmed after successful pilot". Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
- ^ "Old tracks could see trains again". BBC News. 5 March 2009. Retrieved 6 November 2009.
- ^ WalesOnline (24 March 2011). "Aberdare-to-Hirwaun rail line set to reopen". walesonline.co.uk.
- ^ Gupwell, Katie-Ann (2 July 2020). "Brand new train station to be built as part of £2m valleys railway line improvements - Wales Online". Wales Online. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ "£9Bn Railway Investment Announced By Coalition". BBC News. 16 July 2012.
- ^ "Rail electrification to Swansea and south Wales valleys welcomed". BBC News. 16 July 2012.
- ^ "Impact of Core Valley Lines divestment on the Wales & Western region" (PDF). orr.gov.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ "Core Valley Lines Transformation | Transport for Wales". tfw.wales. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
- ^ "Transport for Wales: meet the fleet". Railcolornews. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
Further reading
- Allen, David (6–19 May 1998). "Taff Vale Update". OCLC 49953699.