A proposal will be discussed at Cabinet to endorse the vision of the ‘Cardiff Capital Region Metro’ which will deliver a world class transport network to the city region bringing further prosperity to the capital.
The entire network, which plans to be built by 2030, has been estimated to cost £4bn and will ensure that the Cardiff Region can expand as predicted, in line with the Local Development Plan, increasing economic growth, improving accessibility for commuters and relieve pressure on Cardiff’s Transport Network.
The ‘Metro’ involves a range of measures improving access to Cardiff from the Merthyr Valley, Rhymney Valley, Gwent Valley, Rhonda Valleys and the Neath Valley. As part of this transformation, Cardiff Council’s role will firstly focus on the ‘North West Transport Corridor’, with improvements in three phases; improving links from Cardiff Bay to the City Centre; transforming the disused City Line in Fairwater through to Cregiau and lastly to potentially establish an improved transport route to Llantrisant and Pontyclun in Rhonda Cynon Taf (RCT).
Councillor Graham Hinchey, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, Said:
“The vision of the Regional Metro system is forward thinking and looks to address the need for a growing Capital City. With Cabinet approval, I look forward to working with officers, the Welsh Government, key transport providers and other stakeholders to move this strategic transport plan forward. The new network looks to embrace electrification of existing networks, new technology such as Tram-Train and Bus Rapid Transit to make public transport attractive and a viable option for commuters.
“Currently over 77 000 people commute into city from outside Cardiff each day and 80% of these workers travel by car. With 30 000 further properties planned to be built in the city, it is estimated that this will result in a 32% net increase in traffic. The Regional Metro system intends to change these statistics with a 50/50 split between those travelling by car and public transport into the city. It is essential to make public transport an attractive option by reducing travel times, improving the infrastructure and increasing availability by providing additional services.”
Focussing on the improvements to North West Cardiff, initial estimates show that the first phase of improvements between Cardiff Bay and the City Centre will cost approximately £18m and the second phase involving work around Callaghan Square connecting with Cardiff Central Railway Station would cost approximately £44m. Transforming the City Line through to Cregiau and linking with the remaining improvements to Rhonda Cynon Taf is estimated to cost approximately £161m.
The Cabinet is set to approve for officers to develop a plan to deliver the implementation of the Metro plan projects in Cardiff, ensuring it is financially viable through exploring and securing funding opportunities and reporting back to Cabinet when a business plan is in place to make this vision a reality.
