Frank wrote:
Meanwhile what's happening with electrification? Am I right in thinking we have somehow got priority over Bristol and Oxford and will be completed first?
Good bloody question.
Right so as far as I know, rail electrification from the Great Western mainline to Cardiff on the South Wales mainline is on the go ahead at the moment. Work is being carried out at Newport.
After that, the Valleys (yes, you heard that right) and Swansea will receive electrification presumably in Control Period Six (2019-2024). Swansea was originally meant to be in the same phase as Cardiff but it's been hit by delays I think.
Although it was announced a couple weeks back that the Welsh Government may hand the contract to a private consortium for valleys electrification as it is specifically for the South Wales Metro. This is because the valleys would likely be at the back of a very long queue for electric rail if done by Network Rail (after all some major English cities are dying for it)
You are correct in saying that South Wales has been given priority on electrification over Bristol. Although Parkway will have electric rail (as it is on the way to Wales), Temple Meads will NOT, as it isnt on the South Wales line. I do feel for Bristol as their main train station probably wont be electrified until the 2030's now.