A new state of the art train depot will open in Taffs Well as part of plans for the South Wales Metro, Economy Secretary Ken Skates has announced. The Welsh Government will invest nearly £100m in the new Transport for Wales depot which will house and service 36 of the new Metro vehicles operating on the Taff Vale lines. The depot will also become the base for 400 train crew, 35 Metro vehicle … [Read more...]
£5 Billion for Welsh rail services & passengers
About 600 staff will be recruited and 450 apprenticeships offered with a new 15-year £5 Billion investment in rail services by Welsh Government. The Wales and Borders services along with the proposed South Wales Metro regional service will be contracted to KeolisAmey, who run London Docklands and Manchester Metro, in partnership with stand alone not-for-profit company … [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 over the role of Transport for Wales in … [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, transport analysis, ground conditions, … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 April
The A40 will remain shut between Llandovery and Llanwrda over the weekend at least. It’s emergency closure follows the opening of a sink-hole in the carriageway on Wednesday evening and the diversions have caused chaos in surrounding villages struggling with HGVs on narrow sections. Plans to scrap the proposed electric rail line between Cardiff and Swansea have been defended by UK Transport … [Read more...]
Metro project assured, says Cabinet Secretary
The Welsh Government has a total and unwavering commitment to the Metro project, Economy & Transport Secretary Ken Skates has told AMs in a written statement. Responding to opposition criticism that the Welsh Government is wavering, watering down or altering its support for the massive transport network, he said the scheme would have to be completed in structured phases. “Wales has been … [Read more...]
Red alert for blizzards in S Wales today
The Welsh Government is urging people not to travel unless absolutely necessary as a spell of heavy snow and blizzard conditions is expected to hit South and Mid Wales this afternoon. The Met Office has issued a red warning for ‘extreme weather’ and there could be long delays and cancellations of many public transport services seems highly likely. Some roads could become blocked by deep … [Read more...]
Wales’ warms up plans for winter
Plans are in place to help keep Wales moving during the winter months, with over 216,000 tonnes of salt and thirteen new frontline salt spreaders ready. In 2015 stocks at some local authorities reached crisis point but this winter Economy Secretary Ken Skates is keen to ensure Wales is fully prepared, whatever the weather. Mr Skates said, “I’ve been on record more than once commending … [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...]
Newslines 29 July
More young people are applying for provisional licences but fewer going on to get full licences, says the RAC after looking at DVLA data. There has been a 13% decline in tests taken over the previous 12 months but it’s a massive 29% down since 2007. The Wales economic committee wants priority given to easing congestion to ensure better bus services. It has told the Welsh Government that … [Read more...]