Railfuture Cymru/Wales
CAMPAIGNS
Railfuture is Britain's leading independent campaign organisation for better rail services
Railfuture believes in a greater role for rail helping the country to have a more sustainable economy in relation to carrying passengers and freight.
Railfuture Cymru/Wales has set out its vision on how the rail system in Wales could be dramatically improved with suitable investment and careful planning.
'On Track for The 21st Century - A Development Plan for the Railways of Wales and the Borders', sets out details of the vision. A summary of this plan and the full document can be read by clicking on the links below.
In the summer of 2018 Transport for Wales awarded a new franchise for the operation of rail services in Wales and the Borders.
This will deliver some of the improvements which Railfuture Wales/Cymru has called for such as a £194m investment in station facilities.
As a result, we are currently reviewing Railfuture's campaign priorities in the context of the new franchise. The following three new campaign priorities have been agreed:
1. Acceleration of services:
Cardiff and Swansea: a faster link between Wales’s two largest cities. Cardiff to Swansea- 45 miles in 45 minutes- is achievable without electrification following work to improve line speeds and reduced station stops. Cardiff to North Wales: quicker journeys to link the capital and the towns along the North Wales coast are required. The aim is to bring all Cardiff-Bangor journeys to under 4 hours. This can be achieved by running trans at maximum line speed along the Marches lines and omitting some intermediate stops. Stations on the Borders no longer served can benefit from stops on the new Cardiff-Liverpool service.
2. A true Metro service for all South East Wales:
The idea of the metro providing a turn up and go service by provision of a 15 minute frequency is welcome but routes away from the ‘Core Valley’ lines are not intended to enjoy this level of service. Therefore, Railfuture calls for the 15 minute frequency to be introduced on the Ebbw Vale, Maesteg branches and Vale of Glamorgan (Barry to Bridgend route) to ensure that metro benefits are accessible to all rail passengers.
3. Minimum frequency of 2 hours on all routes:
Whilst the new franchise proposes limited additional trains on the following lines, the services will fall far short of the minimum two hours frequency Railfuture considers is required to make rail a possible option for regular use by local residents:
- Heart of Wales (Swansea to Shrewsbury)
- Conwy Valley (Llandudno junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog)
- Clarbeston Road to Fishguard
In addition to the above, the following objectives from the Development Plan remain relevant:
Passenger Services:
- Clock face timetabling
- Integration with other transport modes
- Through services to other regions of Britain
- Maximum wait of 15 minutes for connections
- Minimum standard of facilities at all stations and a higher standard at interchange stations including staff, toilets and refreshments
- On train standards with regard to interior, toilets, information and food/drink
Routes/Stations:
- Light rail networks in the Cardiff (new routes), Newport, Bridgend, Swansea areas
- A new passenger service: Llanelli/Pontarddulais/Port Talbot goods line including a new parkway station at Morriston
Freight:
- Terminals at ports and mini terminals for transfer of goods from rail to road
Electrification:
- Electrification to be put in place along the South Wales line to Swansea and North Wales line to Holyhead, to link to Crewe, Manchester and High Speed 2
Ownership:
- Simple system directly accountable to the Welsh Government with track and train managed by a not-for-dividend body
Also see our [submissions] to consultations.
Page last modified on Wednesday 13 February 2019.
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