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Metro

if it's about Cardiff.. Sport, Entertainment, Transportation, Business, Development Projects, Leisure, Eating, Drinking, Nightlife, Shopping, Train Spotting! etc.. then we want it here!
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murfilicious

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Re: Metro

PostTue Oct 16, 2018 10:00 am

RandomComment wrote:https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/transport-wales-arriva-keolis-amey-15280801

Slightly ridiculous article from WalesOnline. I mean were they expecting all trains to be repainted, rebranded, etc. over night? And for suddenly service to massively improve?

In the long history of absolutely pointless articles from WalesOnline that really is hitting new depths...

"It's been 24 hours since a new company was formed containing exactly the same staff, equipment and rolling stock and nothing has changed!? Where's the £5bn been spent?!"
Some days you are the pigeon and some days you are the statue...
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Simon_SW17

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Re: Metro

PostTue Oct 16, 2018 10:56 am

RandomComment wrote:https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/transport-wales-arriva-keolis-amey-15280801

Slightly ridiculous article from WalesOnline. I mean were they expecting all trains to be repainted, rebranded, etc. over night? And for suddenly service to massively improve?

I suppose they're just using it as another hook to talk about the plans and the time ie it will take for meaningful change. But it just seems such a depressing place to work as a journalist with this pap. Anyone see the article about "we go help a lady find her lost car". I mean, come on! come on!


I've seen quite a few posts on social media from people complaining that they've been delayed or their train cancelled under TfW. What did they think was going to happen overnight? Some cascaded trains are coming next year to help with extra services and to cover Sprinter modifications, but otherwise it's 2022 until new trains arrive.
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Msmurf

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Re: Metro

PostFri Nov 16, 2018 4:01 pm

There is some interesting plans on TfW site including application for TfW to take over the core Valley lines from Network Rail. This includes the Aberdare to Hirwaun extension and also the Abertillery branch line. Also they want to take over the South Wales Main Line from Cardiff Central to Cardiff East junction. Does anyone know where this is and why it might be significant?
Build it and they will come.
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Bishop84

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Re: Metro

PostFri Nov 16, 2018 8:31 pm

Msmurf wrote:There is some interesting plans on TfW site including application for TfW to take over the core Valley lines from Network Rail. This includes the Aberdare to Hirwaun extension and also the Abertillery branch line. Also they want to take over the South Wales Main Line from Cardiff Central to Cardiff East junction. Does anyone know where this is and why it might be significant?


According to this Rail Accident Investigation Branch the Cardiff East Junction is at the eastern end of Central Station:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... nction.pdf
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Ash

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Re: Metro

PostFri Nov 16, 2018 8:40 pm

The transfer of ownership of the core valley lines has already been agreed by the Welsh and UK Governments. It's due to take place in around a year's time.

I think the Cardiff East junction is the junction where lines diverge to Queen Street, so it's a very short stetch of track.

The Hirwaun and Abertileri ones are interesting. They've long been rumoured to be among the first Metro 'extentions', presumably during the so far unannounced plans for the second half of Keolis Amey's delivery contract.
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Msmurf

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Re: Metro

PostSat Nov 17, 2018 2:43 am

Ahhh so the Cardiff East comnent is not significant. But I agree about the Hirwaun and Abertileri branches. Both potentially good news.
Build it and they will come.
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daearegwr

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Re: Metro

PostWed Jan 23, 2019 9:38 am

Cardiff Parkway station taking a step closer to being a reality.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/ ... n-15717499

A new south Wales park and ride mainline train station with a major business district, which could eventually provide up to three million sq ft of new office space accommodating at least 5,000 workers, is on track to open in 2022.
It comes after the Welsh Government, along with financial services giant Investec and entrepreneurs Nigel and his son Andrew Roberts, have set up a holding company, South Wales Infrastructure Ltd (SWIL), to deliver the proposed Cardiff Parkway train station on the south Wales to London rail line at St Mellons located between Cardiff and Newport.

It is understood that the Welsh Government has taken an 10% equity stake in the business and committed a first tranche £5m funding to support the project through an outline planning application, which is expected to be determined this summer. The aim is for the station to become operational in the summer of 2022.

Investec is investing on the same terms as the Welsh Government.

Subject to planning consent work on the new park and ride train station, which will also provide up to 2,000 car parking spaces, is expected to start early next year.

While it would require agreement to be timetabled as part of the next Great Western Mainline ral franchise, SWIL is confident of Cardiff Parkway being included as a future stop on south Wales to Paddington services.

The terms of the franchise will be set by the UK Government.

It is also looking, although again a non-devolved rail franchise, to be dedicated stop on south Wales to Temple Meads rail station in Bristol rail services.

There are calls for the current just under once a hour service from south Wales to Temple Meads to be significantly increased to four an hour. This would support efforts to increase economic ties between south Wales and the south west of England, something which Secretary of State of Wales Alun Cairns has been promoting.

Through its investment the Welsh Government will also have a stake in the project’s proposed business district at the 160 acre local development plan site, which over the long-term could see up to three million sq ft of new grade A office space built,

The project, which was first revealed two years ago and which since had been undertaking detailed pre-planning work, as well discussions with Network Rail, would be the first mainly privately funded railway station in Wales going back to rail nationalisation.

The station and business district is aiming to secure 12 train services an hour (24 in and out, including two to London and four to Temple Meads.

During its first phase it would see:
• A new station with retail space built over the four electrified lines, which would utilise the existing two relief lines.
• up to 2,000 car parking spaces.
300,000 sq ft of new grade A speculative office space, framing an impressive public square realm
• Four platforms long enough to service trains with 12 carriages.
• Significant upgrade of roads into the site.

Longer-term the aim is for 160 acres of former farmland, which has been designated by Cardiff Council in its local development plan, to develop up to three million square ft of office space. which could accommodate businesses and organisations employing at least 5,000.

With turn-up-and-go rail services to Cardiff Central of just eight minutes, it would be marketed not only as an extension of the centre of Cardiff, but a major destination in its own right.

Chair of SWIL, Nigel Roberts said: “We are delighted to be working closely with Welsh Government on this transformational project alongside Investec who have shown such confidence in this major investment into Wales that will have such a positive impact for the capital region.

"Public transport only works when you make it the transport of choice and we will make this a great customer experience. We acknowledge the enthusiasm for the project from Network Rail and all of the wider stakeholders.”
He added: “With our objective of 12 train services an hour, both in and out, including those to Bristol and London, we see the business district as being a major new investment magnet for the wider Cardiff Capital Region, bringing thousands of new jobs and investors attracted by being at the heart of a major new transport hub.

“While attracting business investment, we will also position Cardiff Parkway and its business district, as a destination in its own right with leisure, restaurant and entertainment provision potential too.

“For people living in St Mellons, and other nearby communities such as Marshfield, it will also provide a turn-up-and-go rail services, which will take passengers into the centre of Cardiff in just eight minutes, with similar journey times into Newport.

“Currently the only public transport option for the 32,000-plus residents of St Mellons is bus. And with increasing road congestion, buses from St Mellons to the centre of Cardiff can take nearly an hour.”
Mr Roberts said the park and ride capacity would also support Cardiff’s hosting of major events, as well as supporting its clean air strategy.

He added: “The park and ride facility will allow those attending concerts or rugby internationals to use the park and ride offer on major event days, so easing traffic congestion into the city itself.”

Mr Roberts said if the Welsh Government decides to build a new M4 Relief Road, the proposed route only half a mile away would further enhance the station’s status as a major integrated transport interchange hub.

He said: ”This really has to been seen not as an out of town development, but very much an extension of the centre of Cardiff. It needs to be seen in the context of connectivity of the London Underground where the journey times between Oxford Circus and St Paul’s is just the same as what it will to travel by train from Cardiff Parkway to Cardiff Central.”

Mr Roberts said there could also potentially be a rapid bus service for delegates attending events at the £83m convention centre (ICC Wales), which opens this summer at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.

Economy and Transport Minister Ken Skates said: “This is an exciting project which we at Welsh Government are very pleased to be a part of. It’s an excellent example of Government and the private sector coming together to look at how best we can deliver better rail infrastructure whilst also creating high quality jobs. As well as the obvious day to day benefits for commuters, this will also help to manage congestion and reduce air and noise pollution in central Cardiff whilst dramatically improving access by public transport for those in St Mellons area.

“It will also serve as an important facility for the increasing number of major events being attracted to our capital city and the surrounding area. It really is a development of huge potential.”

David van der Walt, chief executive of Investec added: “We are convinced that the development will become a key hub in the regional economy and an important piece of the civic fabric.

“This endorsement of the strategic significance of the scheme by our new partner is a great boost for the project team to raise the tempo and help the company realise its vision and deliver its benefits without delay. Investec welcomes Welsh government to the joint venture

SWIL has been advised by Arup, Blake Morgan, Burges Salmon, DLA Piper, Gleeds, HGH Consulting, Knight Frank, KPMG, SLC Rail and Wilkinson Eyre Architects.
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Msmurf

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Re: Metro

PostThu Jan 24, 2019 5:02 am

The station is an excellent idea - but not for Intercity trains.

The station should primarily serve metro services and regional services but not slow down the high(ish) speed services.

There are currently 140 trains a day passing through the proposed station, at just under 8 tph. Of these,
18 trains a day (1 tph) are on the Cardiff to Ebbw Vale line, and remaining 122 teains travel to Newport - of which:

- 18 trains a day (1 tph) on Maesteg to Cheltenham route
- 36 trains a day (2 tph) on Cardiff to Bristol TM and beyond
- 28 trains a day (1.5 tph) on Cardiff to Shrewsbury and beyond

All of these trains could stop at Cardiff Parkway providing 5.5 tph to Cardiff and 4.5 tph to Newport. Increased frequencies on these services could provide a further 2 tph, which would make ut a very well served station.

However, the remaining 36 trains a day (2 tph) travelling from Cardiff to Bristol Parkway and London should not stop at CP with passengers transferring at Newport if neccesary.

In addition, the Maesteg and Ebbw Vale services should also stop at new metro stations at Rumney and Rover Way providing minimum 2 tph increasing to 4 tph with additional planned services.
Build it and they will come.
Get it wrong and they will fall off.
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Kyle

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Re: Metro

PostThu Jul 04, 2019 1:35 pm

https://www.business-live.co.uk/regional-development/ambitious-plans-cardiff-crossrail-integrated-16528754

At least there's plans, but I'm curious why this isn't being led by TfW and the Cardiff Capital Region rather than Cardiff Council on its own.
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Mr Blue Sky

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Re: Metro

PostThu Jul 04, 2019 2:57 pm

Kyle wrote:https://www.business-live.co.uk/regional-development/ambitious-plans-cardiff-crossrail-integrated-16528754

At least there's plans, but I'm curious why this isn't being led by TfW and the Cardiff Capital Region rather than Cardiff Council on its own.


It's probably Goodway's baby with the next elections in mind. It deals with the McEvoy threat to an extent by providing lines to Plas Dwr plus it's very of-the-moment in terms of green thinking.

I'm curious as to why it's being described, by Sion
Barry, as being "similar to London's Crossrail" when it bears virtually no resemblance at all to the 73 mile electrified fast rail line, which includes 13 miles of tunnel, being constructed in London.
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