22 Jan 2025

Transport for Wales (TfW) is another step closer to delivering the next phase of the South Wales Metro as it prepares to electrify the Coryton and lower Rhymney lines in the coming weeks.

As part of the Metro project, which will deliver 170km of electrified track, 116km is already completed and ‘live’. With the upcoming electrification of the Coryton and lower Rhymney lines (from Caerphilly to Cardiff Queen Street), the total will rise to 155km.

Electrifying these lines will enable TfW to introduce new tri-mode trains on the Coryton and Caerphilly to Penarth routes, from Spring 2025.

As TfW continue to electrify more of the railway in South Wales, they’re urging the public to be aware of the safety risks, highlighted by TfW’s No Second Chances safety campaign. Trespassing on the railway is illegal, and doing so when the railway is electrified carries a higher risk of serious injury or death.

If you see any suspicious behaviour on the tracks; contact the British Transport Police:

· Call 0800 40 50 40

· Text 61016

· In an emergency call 999

· Or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Testing the Overhead Line Equipment

From Friday 31 January to Sunday 02 February, no rail services will run on the Coryton, Rhymney and Cardiff Bay lines. These rail closures will allow TfW to test the Overhead Line Equipment that will power the brand-new electric trains.

To ensure the safety of the public, several footbridges, level crossings and road bridges that cross the Coryton and lower Rhymney railway lines will be closed on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 February. More information on these closures can be found on TfW’s website - Coryton and Rhymney line transformation | Transport for Wales

The transformation of the Core Valley Lines for the Metro has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through Welsh Government, and will enable faster, more frequent services between Cardiff and the heads of the valleys.