There is a post on NationCymru today re the potential for a feasibility study into a reopening of the freight line from Ystrad Mynch…..
Reopening rail line ‘would be huge waste of public money’
Now I don’t often disagree with John Pockett, however, on this occasion, I will do so partially and suggest (as I have in the past) that a more strategic option should be considered.
I agree operating rail services on that freight line from Ystrad Mynach up to Bedlinog and beyond is not good VfM (population beyond Nelson/Trelewis is vv small). However, extending existing/planned TfW Metro services to Nelson/Trelewis from the RL at Ystrad Mynach on an already existing line is more viable. For example, it is currently planned to terminate 2tph of the 6tph Metro services from Cardiff heading north on the RL at Caerphilly (leaving 4tph going north). With a tram-train conversion for those 2tph services (as is being considered) and sufficient stock, then they could be extended to Nelson/Trelewis with perhaps two/three “LR” new stations – Trelewis, Nelson and another at Tredomen??
I suggest this is better VfM than the proposed extension to Abertillery which requires a very capital intensive rebuild of the line from Aberbeeg to Abertillery (better spend money on Marches line Metro services and a station at Caerleon! )
More strategic though, is to look at overall travel movements in the sub region and consider the sort of regional economy and transport network we want to create. So,
1) There are large volumes of trips between the Rhymney Valley and Taff Valley that have to use this corridor (TfW model data confirms this)
2) Our current CVL network is all “north south” – east-west is very poorly served!
The longer term and strategic option (yes I know not without cost – but we do have £14Bn to call upon after all!!) is the opportunity to connect the RL and TAM lines using tram-trains and a new (prob single track) LR alignment between Trelewis and Quakers Yard (circa 2-3km). Note – LR stations are less costly than HR ones…and LR services have the potential to be less costly to operate!
This new ”grid” PT network it would create (see https://cardiffmetro.wales/12-transport-planning-and-choices/#12-4-public-transport-grids-networks-and-segregation ) will connect a large number of “Origin” and “Destination” points up and down both valleys that currently rely predominantly on car trips. One could envisage a Rhondda/Pontypridd/Ystrad Mynach/Bargoed tram-train service??
Aside from connecting many more places with fast reliable x-valley PT, this changes the dynamics and economic geography of the region, which I think can/will present all sorts of opportunities (esp TOD >> https://cardiffmetro.wales/11-why-we-need-transit-oriented-development-tod/) .
So, I think the feasibility study is probably asking the wrong question.
However, I do agree with John that in the short term – so the next 5-10 years, there are many more important and better VfM schemes we can and should progress. Esp fix Metro in Cardiff via Cardiff Crossrail Phase 2!!! https://swalesmetroprof.blog/2025/01/03/cardiff-crossrail-phase-2/
And for those that will comment – we cant underplay the role and importance of bus to help build out a connected multi-modal PT network in the CCR. Rail as arteries and bus (in most cases) as capillaries. So, we need more bus revex, a radical approach to bus network redesign and much more bus lanes/prioritisation – all more important in the next 5 years!
PS I did write a blog re the role of Pontypridd in a better connected region with reference to this proposal>>> https://swalesmetroprof.blog/2025/01/11/pontypridd-the-heart-of-the-valleys/
…I also assert the reason such strategic regional schemes fail to be developed is directly attributable to the weakness and fragmentation in the curent political governance of the CCR made up of a committee of ten local authorities each focussed on their own geography rather than the region as a whole. SO, my x-valley tram-train proposal is marginal and probably of limited interest to the three local authorities involved (so RCT, Caerphilly and Merthyr); instead the current strategically compromised set up brings forward tactically useful, but less strategic schemes like the Abertillery extension (poor VfM for me!) and the Hirwaun extension. Whereas if we had a regional mayor and a truly strategic regional approach this x-valley Metro connection (and the Ebbw Valley/Marches Metro service proposals) would be of much higher priority!