Posted 4th October 2018 | 2 Comments

European cash boost for South Wales Metro

THE Welsh Government has secured £119 million of EU funding to make progress with its plans for a South Wales Metro.

The deal has been confirmed by First Minister Carwyn Jones. It means that infrastructure upgrades can go ahead, so that frequencies can be improved on the Valley Lines. Some stations will also be improved.

The money includes £21.1 million for the Merthyr line for track doubling between Merthyr Tydfil and Pentrebach, and between Merthyr Vale and Quakers Yard. New platforms will be built for the doubled sections,

There will be £27.4 million for the Treherbert line, £23.7 million for the Aberdare line, £19.5 million for the Rhymney line and £27.3 million for the scheme to build a depot at Taff’s Well, where the new Metro fleet will be maintained.

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 £119 million 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 a further £40 million or more in EU funding to pay for additional infrastructure enhancements, which it hopes will be secured by the end of 2018.

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

Reader Comments:

Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.

  • John Howe, Cardiff

    Glad to hear this news but I fear after Brexit it is the last tranche of significant funding Wales will get.
    The Secretary of State for Wales has continually refused to guarantee or give a figure for future Welsh Assembly funds and have taken back functions that are now under the control of the Welsh Assembly.
    God help us.

  • James, Farnborough

    Yeah, good luck getting any similar amount of money out HM Government, which will be a necessity for regional projects like this to continue after the colossal mistake that is Brexit is complete.

    The EU will happily fund underdeveloped regions even when those regions vote with their feet and say "we don't want you"; the UK government will, almost as a matter of principle, not invest in somewhere like Wales, because it's not in the south east of England.