Obviously no-one predict the future in Politics at the moment, but with parts of the GWML electrification project being 'defrerred' today, what implications could this have for the electrification of the Valley Lines? Will it ever happen? I guess it's inevitable now that Cardiff - Swansea electrification will also be postponed indefinitely unless the Welsh Govt can shout loud enough. The re-signalling of the whole Cardiff Valleys area wil be completed over Christmas, which is one thing in it's favour.
The fact that the Welsh Govt are trying to get Keilos-Amey or MTR to build the 'Metro' might actually be the valley lines saviour. Although if Cardiff - Swansea isn't going to be wired then there will be no need to wire the VOG line for SWML diversions which leaves the Barry and Penarth lines even more vulnerable to not being wired if they are not included in the 'core' valley lines Metro plans.
Would even a HR electrification using cascaded 321 EMUs from Anglia be cheap enough to get NR to wire the valley lines for HR electrification?
The fact that the Welsh Govt are trying to get Keilos-Amey or MTR to build the 'Metro' might actually be the valley lines saviour. Although if Cardiff - Swansea isn't going to be wired then there will be no need to wire the VOG line for SWML diversions which leaves the Barry and Penarth lines even more vulnerable to not being wired if they are not included in the 'core' valley lines Metro plans.
Would even a HR electrification using cascaded 321 EMUs from Anglia be cheap enough to get NR to wire the valley lines for HR electrification?
Last edited: