South Wales 'Metro' updates

[positron]

In terms of extensions, Cardiff Council's latest corporate plan states that they want to complete the Pierhead street extension and the link to the City Line by 2030.

So allowing for inevitable slippage especially if the core isn't finished till 2028, that kind of fits with 2033.

 

[Dr Day]

Ref Crossrail whilst you have to start somewhere 3 tph feels almost not worth bothering with. Most people can walk from Cardiff Central to the Bay in around 20 minutes. Certainly not ‘turn up and go’ which a well-marketed and well-located shuttle bus could be today without needing much capital investment.

But straying into speculation…

 

[Envoy]

Ref Crossrail whilst you have to start somewhere 3 tph feels almost not worth bothering with. Most people can walk from Cardiff Central to the Bay in around 20 minutes. Certainly not ‘turn up and go’ which a well-marketed and well-located shuttle bus could be today without needing much capital investment.

But straying into speculation…

It would appear that very few people are prepared to walk for 20 minutes from Central to the Bay - and who can blame them with all the roads to negotiate. The sooner this direct service operated by the Class 398’s begins the better. Even more passengers will be attracted once the connection is made at Central to the present tracks to enable direct City Line services to the Bay.

 

[chrisjo]

Most people can walk from Cardiff Central to the Bay in around 20 minutes

Most young, fit, and unencumbered people maybe. I used to be able to do that, dashing across busy roads through the traffic. But when you're getting on a bit, and with shopping or any other luggage, you'll probably spend 20 mins just waiting to cross roads.

 

[John R]

I agree a 3tph service is poor, but in terms of it only being a 20 min walk, don't forget that the final destination will often be several minutes walk further. So the choice will be between a fairly boring walk predominately down a main road, of probably 30 mins total, or a short tram ride followed by a short stroll to the destination. I certainly wouldn't want to do the former in the rain (of which Cardiff has an abundance) or extreme temperature either way.

 

[Dai Corner]

I agree a 3tph service is poor, but in terms of it only being a 20 min walk, don't forget that the final destination will often be several minutes walk further. So the choice will be between a fairly boring walk predominately down a main road, of probably 30 mins total, or a short tram ride followed by a short stroll to the destination. I certainly wouldn't want to do the former in the rain (of which Cardiff has an abundance) or extreme temperature either way.

Especially for those arriving at Central by train, for whom the tram ride will cost little or nothing extra.

 

[Tom125]

When I lived in the bay- waking up Dumballs Road, Bute Street or Lloyd George was vile in the wind, rain and cold and to be honest very edgy during darkness hours. A tram would have been most certainly welcome especially after the bus services were cut to the bone after Covid. Bay to Queen Street was utterly useless as I had the need to access main line services at Central.

 

[snalty]

Noticed this morning that the contactless validator at Birchgrove supports Apple Pay Express Transit but the one at Coryton doesn't for whatever reason.

 

[J663738]

I have got to laugh at TfW's press releases, OK the screen is impressive, but I doubt it will transform passenger experiences!
They do have strange criteria for spending. The Fernhill PAYG validator is still broken. It was reported here in May that it had failed and my local validator lost its 'Beep', months ago.

​

Transport for Wales’ largest digital screen goes live at Cardiff Bus Interchange​

A new digital screen, measuring just over 100m² has been launched outside Cardiff Bus Interchange and is set to transform the passenger experience.

 

[WAB]

I have got to laugh at TfW's press releases, OK the screen is impressive, but I doubt it will transform passenger experiences!
They do have strange criteria for spending. The Fernhill PAYG validator is still broken. It was reported here in May that it had failed and my local validator lost its 'Beep', months ago.

​

Transport for Wales’ largest digital screen goes live at Cardiff Bus Interchange​

A new digital screen, measuring just over 100m² has been launched outside Cardiff Bus Interchange and is set to transform the passenger experience.

Given its use for advertising, I doubt it involved much if any spending for them.

 

[positron]

Cardiff Crossrail phase 1 | Transport for Wales

Transport for Wales | Buy Cheap Train Tickets and Check Train Times

tfw.wales

A public consultation was held on proposals for a brand-new tramway between Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay in autumn 2024. Thank you to everyone who took the time to take part and share their views.

The feedback has helped inform key decisions on the scheme and shape the project, which Cardiff Council is delivering in partnership with us.

You can view the full consultation report here which we committed to sharing in our Cardiff Crossrail Consultation Commitment published in summer 2024.

Cardiff Council has made an application for a Transport and Works Act Order which would authorise the construction, operation and maintenance of the new tramway. You can view the application documents on the Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) website here (search for 03524).

Link to report:

https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2025-08/2025_08_01-TWA-Consultation-Report-Doc-3_2.pdf

TfW have provided an update on crossrail.

 

[CapitalStar378]

Point 7.7 of conclusions on page 61 states that TfW anticipates that construction will begin in early 2028. That suggests that once the TWAO has been granted there's an 18 month wait period, I thought that ground works were due to begin imminently.

 

[positron]

Point 7.7 of conclusions on page 61 states that TfW anticipates that construction will begin in early 2028. That suggests that once the TWAO has been granted there's an 18 month wait period, I thought that ground works were due to begin imminently.

I believe that's a typo and they mean 2026. It's meant to be operational by 2028. (There's unfortunately a few typos within the document apparently spell check is outlawed nowadays).

 

[tigermonstera]

Looks like Cardiff Council have approved the construction of the Waun-Gron Bus-Rail interchange (link).

AGREED: that Wates Construction Ltd be appointed as the main contractor and to enter into a JCT 2016 Design & Build Contract to construct the Waungron Road Housing Development and Bus Interchange project.

The enabling works package has been completed through a JCT Minor Works contract with Wates Construction Ltd and the site is prepared for the main contract works.

This project will deliver 44 homes, two commercial units, an office and the bus interchange.

 

[Robert Ap Ioan]

Looking through the back window, it would appear that only the up line has been wired north of Tirphil station. I can't see any infrastructure for the down line to be electrified at present, which is interesting.

 

[Envoy]

Looks like Cardiff Council have approved the construction of the Waun-Gron Bus-Rail interchange (link).

That’s a hell off a lot rammed onto a small piece of land. Wonder if they still plan to divert the Ely buses via this Metro interchange at Waungron?

I understand that the housing block will be for the homeless. Well, I guess nobody would be stupid enough to actually purchase an apartment at such a noisy polluted junction.

 

[tigermonstera]

More Bay Line works happening soon, including the construction of the new staff building at Cardiff Bay Station:

From 26 August – 14 September, traffic management will be in place on Lloyd George Avenue for concourse construction works at Cardiff Bay Station.

We’ll also be building staff accommodation at Cardiff Bay Station. These works will require traffic management to position a crane in the highway to lift the building onto the platform.

(Source)

 

[Broseley man]

£42m Housing Deal to Deliver 194 Affordable Homes in Maesteg

Housebuilder Avant Homes South Wales and housing association Valleys to Coast have announced the exchange of contracts on a £42m deal to deliver 194 affordable homes in Maesteg. The new housing development will be built on the former Ewenny Road Industrial Estate which comprises 16-acres and is...

businessnewswales.com

Here's what looks like a bit of sensible planning right next to Maesteg (Ewenny Road)

 

[J663738]

£42m Housing Deal to Deliver 194 Affordable Homes in Maesteg

Housebuilder Avant Homes South Wales and housing association Valleys to Coast have announced the exchange of contracts on a £42m deal to deliver 194 affordable homes in Maesteg. The new housing development will be built on the former Ewenny Road Industrial Estate which comprises 16-acres and is...

businessnewswales.com

Here's what looks like a bit of sensible planning right next to Maesteg (Ewenny Road)

I have to disagree, that was a huge site, which was light industrial use and once provided local jobs. Re-zoning it as just housing will admittedly be good for the Metro ticket sales, but ultimately not good for Maesteg.

 

[Broseley man]

I have to disagree, that was a huge site, which was light industrial use and once provided local jobs. Re-zoning it as just housing will admittedly be good for the Metro ticket sales, but ultimately not good for M

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You make a fair point. Was there a realistic chance of a return to industrial use?

 

[Kite159]

I have to disagree, that was a huge site, which was light industrial use and once provided local jobs. Re-zoning it as just housing will admittedly be good for the Metro ticket sales, but ultimately not good for Maesteg.

People buy tickets from Maesteg?

 

[John R]

People buy tickets from Maesteg?

I tried to tap in there yesterday but it was out of order.

 

[positron]

Given maesteg is 1tph and the seeming
impossibility of renewing a 50m passing loop to get it to 2tph, I'm not sure these people will be using "metro" services much.

 

[John R]

Given maesteg is 1tph and the seeming
impossibility of renewing a 50m passing loop to get it to 2tph, I'm not sure these people will be using "metro" services much.

The passing loop seems to be blocked at the moment by bridge work regardless of its current condition. Not sure how long that is expected to be the case.

 

[J663738]

Speaking of Maesteg, the track around Tondu "junction" is a total disgrace, like the old wild west going through it. Train felt like it was about to tip over or derail. yee-ha
Plus they are still giving out real tokens for the single track section!

 

[John R]

Speaking of Maesteg, the track around Tondu "junction" is a total disgrace, like the old wild west going through it. Train felt like it was about to tip over or derail. yee-ha
Plus they are still giving out real tokens for the single track section!

As I noted, I did it yesterday, and it is a real eye-opener, especially with the two disused branches still in situ but overgrown.

I believe Tondu is the last mechanical signal box in the South Wales valleys, and it was rather nostalgic seeing the token exchange.

I didn’t notice anything untoward about the track geometry though. We were going too slowly to feel much at all tbh!

 

[chargesmith]

Given maesteg is 1tph and the seeming
impossibility of renewing a 50m passing loop to get it to 2tph, I'm not sure these people will be using "metro" services much.

I often wonder how feasible it would be to open the track west of Tondu to run Maesteg to Swansea services. In my mind if it could be done it would be a similar arrangement to Ebbw Vale to Cardiff and Newport.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Aug 2025 ==

Speaking of Maesteg, the track around Tondu "junction" is a total disgrace, like the old wild west going through it. Train felt like it was about to tip over or derail. yee-ha
Plus they are still giving out real tokens for the single track section!

If I know that route as well as I think I do, the trains can only go 5mph north of Tondu until they've cleared the junction. For it to be that slow and that bad a ride is quite astonishing.

 

[John R]

I often wonder how feasible it would be to open the track west of Tondu to run Maesteg to Swansea services. In my mind if it could be done it would be a similar arrangement to Ebbw Vale to Cardiff and Newport.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Aug 2025 ==

There really isn't any intermediate population that would be served on the reopened line, other than a station to serve the north of Pyle and Kenfig Hill. So I cannot see a business case for it on passenger grounds. Certainly Hirwaun and Abertillery will come much higher up any list of line reopenings.

The only possible need would be if the new electric arc furnaces at Port Talbot require such a voracious appetite for scrap metal that the route was reinstated to provide an alternative route in the event of capacity problems on the main line west of Bridgend or planned engineering work. But as that would require a reversal at Tondu, I doubt it will ever be done.

 

[J663738]

If I know that route as well as I think I do, the trains can only go 5mph north of Tondu until they've cleared the junction. For it to be that slow and that bad a ride is quite astonishing.

Don't get me wrong, you are not thrown from side to side, but the fact that is so slow makes you realise how uneven the track is. I suspect the sleepers are sinking into the ground. The train gently sways from side to side, which it wouldn't do if the sleepers were in firm ground or the ballast was tamped properly.

Just been to Aberdare on the last day of the £1 PAYG offer.
The conductor warned me not to get off on the new 'arrivals platform' as it doesn't have a Tap In/Out unit. Not that its broken, it just doesn't have one! not even a place where it should go.
So me and most of the trains passengers waited for about 3 minutes until the signals allowed the train to move 100 metres to the old platform. Why on earth build a new platform, call it the arrivals platform and not put in a device on it?

 

[positron]

I often wonder how feasible it would be to open the track west of Tondu to run Maesteg to Swansea services. In my mind if it could be done it would be a similar arrangement to Ebbw Vale to Cardiff and Newport.

Don't want to go too off topic but it would require a complete redo of the line. The current one is in atrocious condition.

Any updates from the bay line or Rhymney?