Businesses of all sizes from all over Wales are gathering at an event in Pontypridd today to hear how they can directly benefit from the £700m investment in the South Wales Metro. Transport for Wales (TfW), the not-for-profit company established by the Welsh Government to procure the next Wales and Borders Rail Service and Metro, is about to embark on a second procurement exercise, to select a … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 August
Posting selfies behind the wheel, horn-happy drivers and litterbugs have been voted by Brits as the top modern day driving irritations, in a Kwik Fit poll. Over half (57%) of Brits surveyed said that being tailgated by other road users is the biggest driving annoyance, whilst aggressive driving (55%) and failing to indicate (53%) also grinds their gears while digital devices continue to … [Read more...]
Wales wants £700M from scrapped electric trains
The Welsh Government is demanding the estimated £700m saved by the UK Government by scrapping of the long-awaited Main Line electrification in South Wales be reinvested for future rail projects in Wales. Proposals for powers over rail infrastructure to be devolved to Welsh ministers should now also be progressed with immediate effect, Economy Secretary Ken Skates has said. In a letter to UK … [Read more...]
Tradelines 31 May
The first consignment of Chinese made Volvo S90s have started arriving in Europe after being shipped by rail from their factory, writes Robin Roberts. Up to 225 Volvo cars a week are shipped in special containers so they cannot move in transit on the Iron Silk Road trade route over 6,000 miles in about 18 days, reaching the UK in July. Electric cars will soon be cheaper to buy than … [Read more...]
Hogwart’s express for South Wales Metro ?
A futuristic fuel system has been suggested to cut engineering and running costs for the South Wales Metro service. Fuel Cell Systems, working with the University of Birmingham and Hitachi Rail Europe, has completed a six-month study for the UK rail industry, which shows that hydrogen fuel cell technology can be successfully retro-fitted to extend the life of existing rolling stock … [Read more...]
Pontypridd on track to get hundreds of rail jobs
Hundreds of jobs will be created in Pontypridd after it has been named today as the location for the new South Wales Metro headquarters. Operating under the name of Transport for Wales, it will be located at the Taff Vale building, said Economy Secretary Ken Skates, and it will oversee the £1 Billion electricification, Metro and rail infrastructure over the coming decades. The news … [Read more...]
Newslines 3 March
After two months of rises at the pumps, the price of petrol and diesel stabilised in February, according to RAC Fuel Watch data. In Wales, diesel dipped by 12p a litre while unleaded rose 9ppl and nationally unleaded finished the month at 120.23p a litre, a very slight increase on the figure of 120.05p seen on 1 February, and diesel at 122.25p, having started at 122.31p, meaning the country is … [Read more...]
Pool “driverless” knowledge to cut costs, say engineers
Existing technology used in “driverless” situations could cut development and costs in the automotive sector, say engineers. A lack of shared best practice in the transport sector is putting the brakes on the huge benefits, including safety and reduced congestion, that can be achieved with increased autonomy across different transport modes, according to a new report published … [Read more...]
Metro service to transform South Wales economy
The Metro is a catalyst for transforming the Welsh economy - that will be the message from First Minister Carwyn Jones when he meets with the European Commission in Brussels today. The Welsh Government has committed £369 million to the Metro project over the next four years to achieve its vision for a new, fully integrated transport network for South Wales; and is seeking a further £110 million … [Read more...]
Rail industry: Wales must not be left in the sidings
The Railway Development Group that represents train-operating companies has shone a searchlight on the impending boom in supplying rolling stock to meet demand, says transport economist Prof Garel Rhys. This is in addition to the redesign of antiquated stations and other infrastructure. Apart from interest in attracting facilities to make lighter weight suburban stock, the Welsh … [Read more...]