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AM WELCOMES EXTRA FUNDING TO LOCAL RAIL NETWORK
posted on 03/06/2008
Cardiff South and Penarth’s Assembly Member, Lorraine Barrett, welcomed the announcement of a proposed major multi-million pound investment programme to improve the local rail network and the service travellers receive.
The £30 million project, being carried out alongside Network Rail’s £200 million Cardiff Area Re-signalling project, will see significant improvements to Cardiff Central station, Queen Street station and the Cogan Junction area, including new signalling systems.
Lorraine Barrett said: “I am delighted that the Assembly Government has invested in this programme to improve the rail services. The proposed developments will provide a wide range of benefits for everyone using the rail services in South Wales. Along with the investment being made by Network Rail the changes will strengthen our rail links and will provide a boost to our local economy.”
The proposed works will include extra platforms for travellers using Cardiff Queen Street, a new bay platform for use by the Cardiff Bay shuttle service, an additional Valleys platform at Cardiff Central, further track and signalling improvements in the Barry/Cogan Junction area and improved disabled access on all stations.
The work will benefit travellers across the region, 67% of all train journeys in Wales are within the South Wales region, and this is set to grow.
Notes to editors:
• The £400m South Wales Re-signalling investment is Network Rail’s long-term renewal scheme to improve the signalling infrastructure across South Wales, including Cardiff. Equipment commissioned in the 1960s will be replaced with modern signalling technology such as new signals, signal structures, control systems and track circuits.
• The cost of the additional enhancements programme for Queen Street – Cardiff Central – Cogan Junction is over £30 million.
• The Welsh Assembly Government will meet the £7million cost of the works at Caerphilly and Pontypridd and in the Barry area. Network Rail will meet the cost of the improvements aimed at operability and performance.
