18 Dec 2020

Transport for Wales is continuing to push ahead with transformational plans for the South Wales Metro at the start of 2021.

With expected low numbers of travellers due to COVID-19, TfW are taking the opportunity to deliver a major piece of infrastructure work. For those making journeys during this quieter period, buses will replace trains for all rail services north of Radyr from Sunday 3 January until Sunday 17 January. 

The 14-day window will allow TfW to progress with their plans and carry out major transformational engineering work for the South Wales Metro.

Rail replacement buses will be available for services on the Aberdare, Merthyr and Treherbert lines and all customers are urged to check online before they travel.  Journey planning systems are expected to be updated from 23 December 2020 to allow passengers to plan their journeys.

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.  

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

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO said:

“At the start of 2020 we opened our Metro Hub at Treforest and started work on our £100 million depot at Taff’s Well.  Throughout the year our teams and partners have been working extremely hard, in difficult circumstances, to build the South Wales Metro.

“We’ll start 2021 with another leap forward in our transformational plans.  We will replace trains with buses for services north of Radyr for 14 days, at a time of low demand due to COVID 19. This will allow our teams to push ahead with essential work as part of the creation of the next phase of the South Wales Metro.  

“We’ve committed to ambitious plans at TfW and it’s fundamental that we continue to move forward with our delivery.

“I’d like to thank all our customers and railway neighbours for their patience and urge those who need to travel to plan ahead.”

As part of this 14 day engineering work enabling the creation of the next phase of the South Wales Metro, TfW will be undertaking various activities, such as devegetation management, ground investigations, design surveys, utility diversions, cable route installation, upgrading track access points and undertaking essential track maintenance.