The upcoming introduction of new tram-trains on the South Wales Metro, while promising improved rail services, has drawn criticism from the architect of the project, who argues that Cardiff
is being shortchanged.
Originally budgeted at £734 million, the electrification of the Valley Lines for the South Wales Metro is now projected to cost over £1 billion due to factors such as inflation and disruptions caused by Covid-19. Despite significant funding from various sources, including the European Union and the UK Government, the project's current configuration overlooks critical improvements for Cardiff's Coryton and City lines.
Professor Mark Barry of Cardiff University, the architect behind the Metro, expressed dissatisfaction with the current plan, noting that while significant upgrades are being made elsewhere, services on the Coryton and City lines will remain unchanged at just two trains per hour. Considering the high population density of these areas, Prof. Barry argues that this level of service falls short of meeting the demand for frequent and reliable public transportation in Cardiff.
He emphasized the disparity in service frequency between Cardiff and other regions, where stations in Caerphilly, Merthyr, and Rhondda Cynon Taff will benefit from a minimum of four trains per hour. Prof. Barry stressed the need to allocate resources where demand is highest, suggesting that current operational models underestimate the potential demand for improved services in Cardiff.
Furthermore, he criticized certain procurement decisions made by the Welsh Government, which he believes have contributed to increased costs and operational constraints within the Metro system. Prof. Barry highlighted the need for a more efficient and flexible approach to procurement to optimize the network's performance and minimize costs.
The City Line, which requires investment from the Department of Transport for Network Rail, remains a focal point for potential improvements. Successful test runs of new tram-trains have been conducted, offering hope for enhanced services in the near future.
Despite these challenges, project manager Alex Cochrane remains optimistic about the Metro's potential to revolutionize transportation in South Wales, acknowledging the collaborative effort required to bring the project to fruition. Photo by Vanmanyo, Wikimedia commons.
