Plaid Two prominent Plaid Cymru candidates for this May’s Assembly elections have pledged to champion the case for the electrification of the South Wales valleys lines.
Dafydd Trystan Davies, who is standing in the Cynon Valley, and the Rhondda candidate, Sêra Evans-Fear, believe that upgrading the line will be a key factor in breathing new life into the former coalfield areas of South Wales.
Wales is one of only three European countries not to have a single mile of electrified railway – alongside Albania and Moldova. The UK Government is still refusing to commit to the plan to electrify the main line between Swansea and London.
Professor Stuart Cole, of the University of Glamorgan, who is widely regarded as Wales’ foremost transport expert, has said that plans to electrify the line as far as Swansea should be extended to encompass the Valleys lines.
Plaid Cymru Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones said electrification of the London-Swansea line was of “vital strategic importance” to Wales and would “open up the possibility of the scheme being extended to cover the South Wales Valleys”.
Dr Davies said: “Electrifying the railways in the Valleys makes perfect sense for a variety of reasons. It will give the many thousands of rail passengers that rely on the service to get to work the modern transport system they need.
“It will lead to a quicker, cleaner and more efficient mode of transport and will allow greater capacity as well. In making rail transport more attractive, we will also take the pressure off the major roads leading into Cardiff, such as the A470.
“The Valleys lines have been boosted in recent years by investment provided by the Welsh Government. Platforms have been extended, trains have been given more carriages and the frequency of services has been improved – all thanks to cash provided by Plaid in Government.
“Sadly, the Westminster Government has not matched our ambition for our rail transport network and has instead focused on services around London.
“Calling for the electrification of the Valleys lines will be a major part of my campaign to get elected in May because the benefits it can provide for the Cynon will be immense.”
Ms Evans-Fear said: “Electrification would increase capacity and ease pressure on the rail network during peak times when there are major events on in Cardiff such as a Six Nations rugby match.
“Trains that run on electric as opposed to diesel accelerate much more quickly and could reduce travel times by at least 15 minutes on an hour-long journey. Electric trains are also a lot more environmentally friendly because they do not emit the pollution of their diesel counterparts.
“In terms of boosting the local economy, electrification of the Valleys lines will make the area much more attractive for investment to companies and hopefully deliver the jobs that are much needed in the Rhondda.
“I support any moves to bring about electrification and I hope many people in the Rhondda will rally behind this campaign.”
