Cardiff Valleys circle line proposed

[anthony263]

Following the UK Government’s decision to electrify the Valley Lines, transport expert Mark Barry and Pontypridd AM Nick Antoniw say the next project should be a Circle Line for the Valleys.

The decision to electrify the entire Valley Lines network and the Great Western Main Line to Swansea, is clearly a huge shot in the arm for the Welsh economy.

It also represents one of the most significant investment in Welsh rail infrastructure since the Severn Tunnel.

The benefits are clear; an electrified rail network is less costly to operate and more environmentally friendly.

Furthermore, the enhanced connectivity between the region's major towns and cities will help the economy of the whole Cardiff City Region

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/busine...egional-economy-91466-32082151/#ixzz2AUqS1vc9


Sounds like an interesting idea although would it be a good investment?
I am sure there are a few routes in the Cardiff Valleys which could be ideal for tram-train operation this proposal perhaps being once such route and the new stations would be great as well.

Maybe perhaps extend the Cardiff Bay branch to serve additional parts of the Cardiff Bay area and doing something similar to the Penarth branch even using on street running if necessary

 

[MarkyT]

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/busine...egional-economy-91466-32082151/#ixzz2AUqS1vc9

Unfortunately the former line between Quakers Yard and Trelewis has been built over in several places with residential property that would be difficult to re-acquire for railway purposes. I suggest a better route would be a tunnel link as shown here:

http://www.townend.me/files/cardiffcircle.pdf

 

[emoaconr]

The Cwmbargoed route is a wasted opportunity, but whether a circular line would be useful remains to be seen. Similary, the Cwmbargoed route could be extended as far as Merthyr... but would it make a lot of difference?

I agree with filling in the gap between Queen St and Heath High Level on the Rhymney line... there's a big gap there that needs a station or two.

 

[anthony263]

The Cwmbargoed route is a wasted opportunity, but whether a circular line would be useful remains to be seen. Similary, the Cwmbargoed route could be extended as far as Merthyr... but would it make a lot of difference?

I agree with filling in the gap between Queen St and Heath High Level on the Rhymney line... there's a big gap there that needs a station or two.

I certainly agree with a station being built near Roath

 

[Solaris]

Unfortunately the former line between Quakers Yard and Trelewis has been built over in several places with residential property that would be difficult to re-acquire for railway purposes. I suggest a better route would be a tunnel link as shown here:

http://www.townend.me/files/cardiffcircle.pdf

CPO could always be used...if the business case stacks up then why not? CPO is used liberally for road schemes....

 

[The Ham]

Unfortunately the former line between Quakers Yard and Trelewis has been built over in several places with residential property that would be difficult to re-acquire for railway purposes. I suggest a better route would be a tunnel link as shown here:

http://www.townend.me/files/cardiffcircle.pdf

Given that it's the South Wales Valleys you could offset the cost of the tunnel with selling the coal you get out!

 

[MarkyT]

CPO could always be used...if the business case stacks up then why not? CPO is used liberally for road schemes....

Agreed most road and railway schemes have a compulsory purchase element, but ideally this should be minimised. Cost of acquiring residential land by CPO or negotiation can be orders of magnitude higher than that used for agricultural or industrial purposes. Also there is more of a political risk, as forcibly removing owner occupiers from their private dwellings is an emotional issue, no matter what the compensation. It can also be divisive if a neighbour sees fellow community members being generously compensated to move whilst he finds it impossible to sell in a depressed, and possibly locally blighted, market.

Many major road schemes, when they are finally built, have been in planning for years, possibly decades. Local and highway authorities in those cases have often engaged in strategic land and property purchase that subsequently reduces the need for compulsion.
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Given that it's the South Wales Valleys you could offset the cost of the tunnel with selling the coal you get out!

I have read that locals have been known to use abandoned rail tunnels in South Wales for well-camouflaged access into a hillside to start small scale drift mining!

http://www.blackmountainsite.co.uk/tunnels-and-caves/pencaedrain-tunnel-rhigos-tunnel/