06 Nov 2020

Delivery of the South Wales Metro took another leap forward last weekend with transformation work on the railway track on the Aberdare Line.

The work was successfully carried out by Transport for Wales and one of their delivery partners, Balfour Beatty and is key preparation for the electrification of the line, which in the future will provide a more sustainable and efficient way of travel.  

Teams worked around the clock, all weekend, to lower nearly 200 metres of railway track at Old Colliery between Cwmbach and Fernhill stations, increasing the clearance from the track to the overbridge.  

The South Wales Metro project has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through Welsh Government. 

Ken Skates, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, said: 

“This is another step forward for this important transport development. Our Metro systems will increase passengers’ access to convenient public transport, and I want to thank the staff who worked so hard to deliver the work in particularly challenging weather conditions.” 

Karl Gilmore, Transport for Wales Rail Programme Director said: 

“This weekend marked the first major railway track transformation work for the South Wales Metro at Old Colliery on the Aberdare Line.  

“Our teams worked constantly from the Friday through to the Monday morning and successfully lowered the track, which in the future will run our brand-new metro trains. 

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our teams and delivery partners Balfour Beatty for delivering this scheme.  Due to Covid 19, we have faced many challenges and the weekend weather presented difficult working conditions, but our teams worked hard to deliver safely, on time and with minimum disruption.” 

“The successful delivery was testament to the collaborative behaviours being displayed across the Transformation Programme.  

The South Wales Metro will significantly improve connectivity throughout South Wales and provide access to jobs, leisure and other opportunities for the people of Wales, through unifying rail, bus and active travel routes.  

Alasdair Macdonald, Balfour Beatty Project Director said:  

“We are delighted to have successfully lowered the first section of tracks under the bridge at Old Colliery, marking the start of the essential track enhancements for the Core Valley Lines transformation project. With these tracks in place, we continue to progress the delivery of a project that will provide reliable journeys as well as connecting communities throughout Wales.  

“As an alliance, Balfour Beatty has worked collaboratively with Transport for Wales and supply chain partners to ensure this first milestone was reached safely and efficiently, completing ahead of schedule.”