Welsh Conservatives have criticised the chaos on local rail services after Transport for Wales took over from Arriva Trains Wales last month. In response to South Wales Central AM Andrew RT Davies, Transport Minister Ken Skates, declined the opportunity to apologise and also refused to answer why additional trains promised back in July 2017 by the Welsh … [Read more...]
Bid to improve stations’ access
Transport Secretary Ken Skates has backed a bid to the UK Government’s Access for All programme to improve fifteen stations across Wales. AfA is a UK Government funded programme, used to create an obstacle free, accessible route from station entrance to platform. This generally includes providing lifts or ramps, along with associated works to improve … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 October
The Wales and Borders rail service can be the best passenger rail service in the UK within the next 15 years. This is the message from First Minister, Carwyn Jones who will be on Pontypridd station today to mark the first full day of the new Wales and Borders rail services led by Transport for Wales with a £5 Billion budget to improve rolling stock, … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 October
Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford will today bring business leaders in Wales up to speed on the Metro service, before the franchise change in a week’s time. He will tell them Metro will deliver against a range of policy objectives by creating a network that will serve communities, accessible to all and operating seven days a week with fare cuts on some … [Read more...]
Newslines extra 12 September
Wales Future Generations Commissioner Sophie Howe has questioned spending £1.4 Billion on the planned M4 relief road around Newport, including a new bridge over the Usk, remodelling the docks and building on grazing land. It will not cut congestion and is a "20th Century solution to a 21st Century problem”, said Ms Howe and suggested money would be better … [Read more...]
Newslines 31 July
Britain’s first full-sized driverless bus is being developed by Stagecoach. It’s partnered with bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited and technology company Fusion Processing to produce a 12m single deck autonomous bus with trials planned in a depot and including technology which can be utilised when it goes onto the streets with a driver as it would … [Read more...]
Boost rail investment, Welsh Government tell UK Goverment
Transport Secretary Ken Skates has cited slow speeds, manual Victorian signalling and level crossings bringing traffic to a standstill up to 200 times a day in his call on the UK Government to make available an equitable level of funding for rail infrastructure enhancements in Wales. In May, Ken Skates announced Cardiff University’s Professor Mark Barry … [Read more...]
New ‘steam-age’ opportunity in Wales
A new steam-age of "clean" hydrogen-powered trains has been suggested for the forthcoming Wales and Borders services, a Plaid Cymru AM has said. Simon Thomas made the call off the back of research he commissioned on the potential to developing hydrogen infrastructure for transport in Wales. Hydrogen-fuelled trains emit osteam and condensed water and are … [Read more...]
New Wales’ rail service warning from Conservatives
A contract to run Wales' rail service for the next 15 years has been awarded by Welsh Government to two European firms. France's Keolis and Spanish-owned Amey will be responsible for the new franchise and will also oversee the South Wales Metro project, and Welsh Conservatives’ Russell George said it is a ‘significant moment’ but also highlighted concerns … [Read more...]
Metro hub development now on track in Cardiff
Leading figures of the new Metro Delivery Partnership visited the site of Cardiff’s new Integrated Transport Hub where work is underway to prepare for construction of the new bus station and interchange. The Welsh Government recently acquired the site for the new Interchange from Cardiff Council for £15m, including the rights to the original design, … [Read more...]
