Transport for Wales (TfW) has confirmed dates for additional train services it wants to introduce to its timetable across the Wales and Borders route over the next three years.
Because of the impact of COVID-19 over the last 18 months, some original dates, set in 2018, have had to be revised.
TfW said delays were due to the pandemic’s consequences on areas such as disruptions in supply chains, the delivery of infrastructure needed to operate new services and the ability to train new train crews due to social distancing.
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For the additional services first announced in 2018 the revised plans mean:
- Cardiff to Cheltenham (a consistent one train per hour to all stations) – Will be delivered by December 2022 (as originally planned)
- Heart of Wales Line (one additional service per day to all stations) – Will be delivered by December 2022 (as originally planned)
- Liverpool to Llandudno (new hourly service) – Will be delivered by December 2023 (revised)
- Extension to the current Manchester Airport to Llandudno service (to Bangor) – Will be delivered by December 2023 (revised)
- Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury (a consistent one train per hour to all stations) – Will be delivered by May 2024 (revised)
- Hourly service between Liverpool and Shrewsbury – Will be delivered by December 2024
In addition, TfW has successfully purchased a further 25 Mark 4 intercity carriages plus five driving van trailers that are fully refurbished to a high standard.
This will include four trains of five carriages which will enter service on the South Wales to Manchester route in 2023.
In addition to recommitting to the pledges made in 2018, at a revised schedule, TfW remain committed to:
- South Wales Metro
Investment of three-quarters of a billion pounds to upgrade the railway to Aberdare, Coryton, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney and Treherbert. The first Overhead Line Equipment foundations have already been installed.
- North Wales
Working on the initial phases for the North Wales Metro, putting the foundations in place for transformative rail and bus services and active travel and the new Liverpool to Wrexham service has been launched via the Halton Curve.
- Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro
TfW supported the public consultation for the development of the Metro and this is currently being considered by the Welsh Government.
- West Wales to Manchester
Additional premier services from West Wales to Manchester to be introduced by December 2022, using the purchased high quality intercity rolling stock.
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