Organisation Name:  Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

Project Description: Port Talbot Parkway Railway Station and Surrounding Area The project will upgrade the existing Port Talbot Parkway railway station to provide increased facilities for travellers and commuters using public transport rather than cars.  The scheme includes regeneration of the surrounding area to make Port Talbot an attractive destination to arrive and work in.  It also includes;

•     the provision of additional parking for ‘park and ride’,
•     much improved disabled access,
•     modal interchange facilities and
•     a main pedestrian and cyclist link between the major regeneration area
around Port Talbot Docks and the town centre.

A feasibility study is currently ongoing, which will assess the potential for development of the station and the surrounding area.

The project is linked to the priority bus corridors scheme and proposals to relocate and improve the bus station.  Consequently, with the major road links programmed through the Port Talbot Peripheral Distributor Road, the station will become a major regional transport hub forming part of the strategy for the developing regional transport plan supported by the South West Wales Regional Transport Consortium (SWWITCH) and the Welsh Assembly Government.  It will also create an impressive gateway to Port Talbot and South West Wales.

The project complements and builds on part of the SWWITCH railway stations package.

Email Address: b.biscoe@npt.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Local

Organisation Core Business:  Local Authority

Who will be involved in delivering the project: The project will be managed by NPT staff utilising sub contractors for implementation where appropriate.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Commuters, developers, employees and employers

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Swansea Bay, The Waterfront and Western Valleys

What might the outputs(activity measures  Number of users; public transport service improved / access route created

What might be the results of the project: People with disabilities and/or people without access to a car will benefit from better access to employment. The increased use of public transport generated will provide environmental and economic benefits for all.

What would its impact be The impact of the schemes' significant improvement to the quality, aesthetics and image of Port Talbot will encourage investment and development.  Other impacts include modal shift, increased employment opportunities, increased access to skills for SME’s, reduction in congestion and pollution; improved access for people with disabilities.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 1500 railway passengers per day using the station, 400 park and ride passengers, 8 ha landscaped/regenerated

Estimated Cost: £7000000

Where might the match funding come from:  Welsh Assembly Government through the regional transport plan, Network Rail, possibly train operators and private developers.

Date:27/03/2008

Organisation Name:  Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

Project Description: Priority Bus Corridor – Port Talbot to Swansea

The project will create a quality strategic transport link between Port Talbot railway and bus stations and Swansea.  It will pass through the local strategic sites of Port Talbot Docks, Baglan Bay, Brunel Dock and Fabian Way, improving access to these sites by public transport.

The project links with other convergence projects such as Port Talbot Parkway and Bus Station improvements and the Baglan Energy Park (BEP) link bridge.  It also complies with the emerging Regional Transport Plan and local integrated sustainable transport strategies being developed along with the South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium (SWWITCH).

•     The works comprise
•     construction of new bus stops,
•     information systems,
•     bus priority measures,
•     dedicated bus lanes etc.

This will vastly improve the public transport experience for passengers, encouraging modal change.

Email Address: b.biscoe@npt.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Local

Organisation Core Business:  Local Authority

Who will be involved in delivering the project: The project will be managed by NPT staff utilising sub contractors for implementation where appropriate.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Employers; employees; job seekers and the travelling public in general.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Swansea Bay, The Waterfront and Western Valleys

What might the outputs(activity measures Number of users; public transport service improved / access route created

What might be the results of the project: Increased use of public transport and better access to employment for people without access to cars; increased gross passenger kilometres on public transport

What would its impact be Modal shift, increased employment opportunities, increased access to skills for SME’s; increase of population within travel time threshold of a ‘key centre’; increase in net passenger kilometres on public transport.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 12 km of bus route improved,  9000 (– 18000  potential) employees on route, 175,000 passenger journeys per annum

Estimated Cost: £220,000

Where might the match funding come from: Welsh Assembly Government through the regional transport plan, possibly bus operators and developers.

Date:27/03/2008

Organisation Name:  SWWITCH

Project Description: Regional Bus Corridor Package (4 schemes)

- Carmarthen to Swansea via Llanelli
- Swansea Valley to Swansea City Centre
- Haverfordwest to Tenby via Pembroke
- Landarcy to Swansea via SA1

Email Address: marcus.judd@swansea.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: South west Wales

Organisation Core Business:  Local Government / Transport Consortium

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Local Authority, SWWITCH, Bus Operators

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Bus Passengers, Bus Operators, Local Employers, Local Businesses, General Public

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Swansea Bay & Western Valleys, Central Wales and Pembrokeshire Haven

What might the outputs(activity measures Bus priority measures, improved and more accessible bus interchange points leading to improved integration of bus services with other travel modes. Improved access to employment, education and training, healthcare and tourim / leisure. Improved range, quality and awareness of sustainable transport options.

What might be the results of the project: Better public transport connectivity between key settlements in the region. Increased bus patronage and reduced single occupancy car commuting. Higher quality and more frequent sustanable transport options between key settlements

What would its impact be Reduced social exclusion for deprived communities.
Healthier, more socially active residents. More effective and efficient use of available highway capacity. Improved air quality where transport contributes to poor quality

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: To include a range of measures appropriate to each corridor designed to facilitate faster bus servcies, more accessible and convenient interchange points and better information

Estimated Cost: £20 million

Where might the match funding come from: Welsh Assembly Government, Bus Operators

Date:18/03/2008

Organisation Name:  Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

Project Description: The project will link two sections of the Baglan Energy Park strategic development site, totalling some 500 hectares, which is currently dissected by several railway lines serving local factories.  The railway lines make the travel distance between the two areas about 4km, which would be reduced to 300m by the proposed link bridge.

It will also form part of the All Wales Coastal Footpath promoted by WAG.

The proposed link is needed complete the infrastructure on the Park in order to make it into a self contained, cohesive unit.  It will improve connections between the two phases and links to Port Talbot commercial centre, the railway and bus stations and the wider transport infrastructure.  This will create improved access for vehicles, walkers and cyclists and will enable more effective timetabling of public transport.

The proposal will and to the synergy of the Park, encouraging further investment and uptake of the remaining plots.  There is also opportunity to open a third phase providing the circumstances, including the infrastructure, are right

Email Address: b.biscoe@npt.co.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Local

Organisation Core Business:  Local Authority

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Own Staff and Sub Contractors

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Local businesses, SME’s, transport operatives, employees and potential employees.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Swansea Bay, The Waterfront and Western Valleys

What might the outputs(activity measures No of users; public transport service improved / intermodal facility created / access route creates / land developed?

What might be the results of the project: A more attractive environment for business development, SME’
s etc, which will encourage investment and increase use of public transport thereby promoting modal change.

What would its impact be Increased and accelerated investment in the region; improved integrated transport links

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Approximately 4000-5000 beneficiaries

Estimated Cost: £4,500,000

Where might the match funding come from: Local Partnership comprising of BP, NPTCBC and WAG

Date07/03/08

Organisation Name:SWWITCH

Project Description: Sustainable Towns and Villages Package (2 schemes) - to develop two schemes within the SWWITCH region where good infrastructure currently exists and focus on providing the local residents with information, incentives and motivation to help them voluntarily make sustainable travel choices.

Email Address:marcus.judd@swansea.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation:Within the SWWITCH region

Organisation Core Business:Local Authority / Transport Consortia

Who will be involved in delivering the project:Local Authority / SWWITCH

Who will be the end beneficiaries:Local Residents, bus passengers, bus operators, businesses and retailers, cyclists, pedestrians, general public

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Pembrokeshire Haven, Central Wales and Swansea Bay and the Western Valleys

What might the outputs(activity measures Improved marketing information on local bus services, increased awareness of different transport modes through use of personalised travel planning marketing campaign, improved walking, cycling and car-sharing

What might be the results of the project: A reduction in single occupancy car use, increases in cycling, walking and bus patronage

What would its impact beReduction in congestion and increased modal shift, healthier lifestyles and reduced obesity

strong>Roughly what might be the scale of the project:The schemes will focus on 'softer measures' and incorporate a marketing campaign of personalised travel planning measures aimed at local residents within the chosen town(s) / village(s)

Estimated Cost:£10 million

Where might the match funding come from: Welsh Assembly Government

Date05/03/08

Organisation Name:  SWWITCH

Project Description: Railway Stations Package (4 schemes) - Carmarthen, Milford Haven, Port Talbot Parkway and Swansea High Street. The schemes will principally provide much improved passenger waiting facilties, new retail opportunities and improve passenger concourse areas. The stations will be redevloped into modern transport interchanges.

Email Address: marcus.judd@swansea.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Rail Stations located within the SWWITCH region

Organisation Core Business: Local Authorities / Transport Consortia

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Network Rail, Local Authorities / SWWITCH. Other partners who will be key to delivery are WAG, Arriva Trains (Wales), Milford Haven Port Authority, Private Sector.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Rail, Bus, Coach and Taxi users/passengers, rail operators, disabled groups, business and retailers, general public, cyclists, pedestrians, shoppers and visitors.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Pembrokeshire Haven, Central Wales and Swansea Bay and the Western Valleys

What might the outputs(activity measures New and improved interchanges between transport modes including rail, bus, taxi, cars, cycling and walking

What might be the results of the project: Improved passenger comfort, convenience and security.
Improved information, booking, waiting and station facilities, including better integration and connectivity with urban centres

What would its impact be Increased rail and bus patronage and modal shift

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Improvements to stations to take place throughout EU Convergence funding programme. Swansea High Street Station for example is in tranche one of Network Rail's Improvement programme with Carmarthen in the 2nd tranche.

Estimated Cost: £14 million

Where might the match funding come from:Network Rail National Rail Improvement Programme, Welsh Assembly Government and private

Date05/03/08

Organisation Name:  SWWITCH

Project Description: Bulford Road Link - To provide a replacement 2.5km road link and better road access for HGV's and other traffic from the A4076 Trunk Road at Johnston to the nationally important oil and gas terminal, storage, refining and other development sites to the west of Milford Haven. The link will form a major part of a Milford Haven Relief Road, intended to remove heavy and through traffic from the town centre of Milford Haven. In addition, it will give relief and improved safety to the residential communities of Johnston and Tiers Cross. The link will replace a largely single track road with passing places.

Email Address: marcus.judd@swansea.gov.uk and gwyn.evans@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation:  Bulford Road is to the north of the Pembrokeshire Haven waterway between the villages of Johnston and Tiers Cross

Organisation Core Business: Local Authority / Transport Consortia

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Pemvrokeshire County Council / SWWITCH

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Residents of Johnston, Milford Haven and Tiers Cros; Employees of, and businesses located to the west of Milford Haven, HGV operators and drivers serving South West Wales and parts of South East Wales.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Pembrokeshire Haven

What might the outputs(activity measures Single carriageway two-lane road to a modern standard connecting the trunk road network to development sites to the west of Milford Haven. The road is designed to cope with safe movement of modern HGV's. The Bulford Road improvement is a strategic scheme that will improve movement, access and connectivity between the trunk road network and the nationally important energy and other development sites on the north bank of the Haven west of Milford Haven. It will divert heavy traffic from the centre of Milford Haven town and replace the existing sub-standard 'single lane with passing bays'.

What might be the results of the project: Facilitate additional inward investment and development to the wesy of Milford Haven by providing much improved access to the Trunk Road Network. Facilitate relief and improve road safety to the existing A4
076 Trunk Road through the town centre and residential streets of Milford Haven including - Hamilton Terrace, Victoria Road and Great North Road.
Improves road safety and visability for HGV's and other traffic serving the energy and other development sites from the A4076 trunk road at Johnston. Provides traffic relief to Tiers Cross and the soutern part of Johnston. Improves road safety at Tiers Cross by introduction of a speed reduction effect on Old Hakin Road. Forms the first part of a possible bypass to the west of Johnston.

What would its impact be Traffic relief and improved road safety to the communities of Milford Haven, Johnston and Tiers Cross

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: On-line widening to modern standards of an existing single lane highway with passing bays along an 800 metre central section and off-line sections of 1250 metres at Tiers Cross at the western end and 650 metres at Johnston at the eastern end. The exisitng traffic flow has increased significantly from 1028 (12 hours) on 19th August 1996 to an average of 1400 in 2004 and 1600 in September/October 2007. The number of HGV's using the route has also increased greatly from 20(2%) in 1996 to
177 (13%) in 2005.

Estimated Cost: £7 Million

Where might the match funding come from:Welsh Assembly Governemnt Transport Grant

Date29/02/08

Organisation Name: SWWITCH

Project Description: Park & Ride Pacakge (3 schemes) - Carmarthen, Llanelli and Swansea West, Park & Ride has an excellent uptake within the SWWITCH region and the development of further sites will complement this and help to reduce congestion further.

Email Address: marcus.judd@swansea.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Sites withn the wider Swansea Bay area close to the towns of Carmarthen and Llanelli and the City of Swansea

Organisation Core Business: Local Authority / Transport Consortia

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Local Authority / Private Contractors / SWWITCH

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Carmarthenshire and Swansea residents, bus operators, disables groups, businesses and retailers, general public

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Central Wales and Swansea Bay and the Western Valleys

What might the outputs(activity measures): New park & ride sites with passenger waiting facilities

What might be the results of the project: Increased passenger convenience in accessing the centres of the towns and City

What would its impact be: Increased modal shift, reduction in congestion

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Secure manned parking facility, public toilets, sheltered waiting areas, potential for dedicated vehicles.

Estimated Cost: £12 million

Where might the match funding come from: RTP Grant and other sources

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date 29/02/08

Organisation Name: SWWITCH

Project Description: Carmarthen West Link Road - Construction of a new road northwards off the A40 at Travellers Rest (west of Carmarthen) through to an area adjacent to Trinity College Carmarthen, in order to release the enterprise potential of a large area of prime development land on the western fringes of Carmarthen.

Email Address: marcus.judd@swansea.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: The road will be west of Carmarthen directly off the A40 running northwards from Travellers Rest to College Road, Carmarthen

Organisation Core Business: Local Authority / Transport Consortia

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Welsh Assembly Government / Carmarthenshire County Council / SWWITCH

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The local and regional economy will benefit through shorter term job creation during the construction phase and in the longer term through benefits of inward economic investment relating to the site

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: The scheme is within the Swansea Bay and Western Valleys area; however it is also on a strategic route near to the border of the Pembrokeshire Haven Spatial Plan area and will therefore generate a positive impact on this area also

What might the outputs(activity measures): A new road in a strategic location off the A40 (TENS
Corridor) which will free up large areas of land for mixed use enterprise

What might be the results of the project: Job creation in the short term during construction phase and in the longer term as a consequence of increased inward investment

What would its impact be: Release of large areas of land for development in a prime location. Creation of construction jobs. Stimulating economic activity in the region, and encouraging inward investment

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Approx 2.5km of new road construction

Estimated Cost: £2.5 million (excluding land costs, any part 1 claims and any necessary realignment of the junction with the A40)

Where might the match funding come from: Developer Contributions / Welsh Assembly Government

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date 29/02/08

Organisation Name: SWWITCH

Project Description: Cross Hands Economic Link Road - The construction of a new road to the south of Gorslas and Cross hands serving the A48 trunk road and Cross Hands Business Park

Email Address: marcus.judd@swansea.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: The proposed road is in the Swansea Bay and Western Valleys area, originating on the A476 NW of Gorslas, running to the south of Gorslas, serving the Cross Hands Business Park, by-passing Cross Hands Town Centre

Organisation Core Business: Local Authority / Transport Consortia

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Welsh Assembly Government / Carmarthenshire County Council / SWWITCH

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Employment opportunities in Llanelli and Gwendraeth Valley will be more readily accessed from the Amman Valley due to improved transport Links. Economic activity will be stimulated by improving access to Cross Hands Business Park and freeing further areas for development which will benefit the County and beyond. Relieving congestion pressures at the pinch point on Cross Hands roundabout will improve flow along the
A48 (part of the strategic Trans European Network) which will have economic benefits for the whole of the South Wales Corridor

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: The scheme will be located in the Swansea Bay and Western Valleys area but is likely to benefit neighbouring spatial plan areas for the reasons stated previously

What might the outputs(activity measures): A new 2 lane distributor road linking Gorslas and Cross Hands via The Cross hands Business Park

What might be the results of the project: Improved local environmental consitions for residents of Gorslas and Cross Hands. Improved access to Cross Hands Business Park.
Opening up of new areas for development to the south of Gorslas. Improved access between the Amman Valley, Gwendraeth Valley and Llanelli. Reduced congestion at the A48 Cross Hands roudabout

What would its impact be: Release of prime development land. Encouraging economic activity in the region. Residents of Gorslas and Cross Hands will benefit through a reduction in heavy vehicle movements and congestion in built up areas.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The road will be a new construction consisting of x km of two lane carriageway.

Estimated Cost: Approx £10 million

Where might the match funding come from: Welsh Assembly Government

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date 28/02/08

Organisation Name: SWWITCH

Project Description: Swansea Quadrant Bus Station - The scheme is to replace the existing Quadrant Bus Station with a modern high quality transport interchange to cater for both buses and coaches, including Swansea Metro vehciles, on a larger footprint. The scheme provides passenger facilities, office accommodation for the main bus operator, accommodation for shopmobility, a taxi rank and a kiss and ride facility.

Email Address: marcus.judd@swansea.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: City & County of Swansea

Organisation Core Business: Local Government / Transport Consortia

Who will be involved in delivering the project: City & County of Swansea as client, City & County of Swansea as Civil and Structural Engineers, Jefferson Sheard as Architects, WSP as M&E Engineers. Davis Langdon as Project Managers and Cost Consultants.
Main Contractor to be appointed

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Bus and Coach passengers, bus operators, disabled groups, businesses and retailers, general public

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Located in Swansea City Centre, but serving Swansea Bay and the Western Valleys and parts of South East Wales, Pembrokeshire Haven and Central Wales

What might the outputs(activity measures): New transport interchange with intermodal facilities

What might be the results of the project: Improved passenger comfort, convenience and security

What would its impact be: Increased bus patronage and modal shift

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 20 bus bays, 3 coach stands, 12 layover spaces, passenger concourse, coach facility, operational offices, shopmobility centre, travel shop, public toilets, taxi rank and drop off facility

Estimated Cost: £11.5 million

Where might the match funding come from: Welsh Assembly Government Transport Grant and private sector

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 18/01/08

Organisation Name: Carmarthenshire County Council

Project Description: BWCABUS will link an integrated, demand responsive, low capacity service to conventional bus and train services. A three year trial of this innovative concept is proposed for the area north of Carmarthen, covering the Teifi Valley and South Ceredigion.

BWCABUS will integrate DRT and conventional public transport networks, with the optimisation of vehicle use and guaranteed connectivity achieved through the use of GPS. This will improve service quality, increase demand, increase rural accessibility and in the longer term, provide better - value provision of rural public transport. Such improvements support the Welsh Assembly Governments social, environmental, and economic policy objectives, as well as the Regional Transport Consortia and local authority policies.

Email Address: hlmorgan@carmartthenshire.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: North Carmarthenshire / South Ceredigion
Organisation Core Business: Local Authority

Who will be involved in delivering the project: WAG / LAs

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Rural communities

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Central

What might the outputs(activity measures):

What might be the results of the project: 1.    Improved access to employment opportunities

What would its impact be: Initially rural north Carmarthenshire and south Ceredigion

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: initially a pilot, then role out on a regional basis

Estimated Cost: £452,250

Where might the match funding come from: WAG transport; Carmarthenshire County Council; Ceredidion County Council

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 02/01/08

Organisation Name: Aberfan & Merthyr Vale Youth & Community Project Project Description: Create a transport company that is at the centre of community transport across the Heads of the Valleys area. The company will provide transport for the elderly, young people and the econmoically inactive.It will seek to build on the highly successfull Dial a ride and conccessionary fares scheme already administered by the project.

Email Address: steve@amvycp.co.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: South East Wales

Organisation Core Business: Community Transport

Who will be involved in delivering the project: The Social Enterprise

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The elderly, socially deprived, young people, disabled people and those who are ecomonically inactive

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: South East Wales

What might the outputs(activity measures): Gross numbers in training and employment

What might be the results of the project: Rise in GDP

What would its impact be: Community members taking the lead on regeneration Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Heads of the valleys area over the next 6 years

Estimated Cost: £1 million

Where might the match funding come from: WAG,CTA and earned income

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 01/12/07

Organisation Name: Isle of Anglesey County Council

Project Description: Provide an improved access link road from the expanding port to the A55 (a TEN –T route). Inter modal facilities improved The link will relieve traffic congestion caused by port traffic, provide economic and social regeneration to Holyhead and reduce environmental nuisance (noise, air quality and severance) from ferry traffic in the town.
New parking facilities to encourage ferry travellers to visit Holyhead.
Provide a new rail maintenance depot future proofed for possible expansion

Email Address: ARRHT@Anglesey.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Holyhead

Organisation Core Business: Local Authority

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Isle of Anglesey County Council, Stena Line Ports Ltd, Welsh Assembly Government.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Beneficiaries will include the following :- Port travellers , Port Authority (Stena Line Ports), Port Operators (including Stena Line, Irish Ferries and Cruise ship operators), Other freight services, Tourists, Local businesses especially the town centre, local residents.
Network Rail and Train Operating Companies

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: East-west corridor in North Wales - see Section 6 of Framework which specifically refers to the poor access to Holyhead Port.

What might the outputs(activity measures): Direct access link created between the Port and the A55 TEN-T route. New, safer and more direct pedestrian links created between the port and Holyhead town.

What might be the results of the project: The removal of almost all port congestion effects on Holyhead local traffic

What would its impact be: Journey time saving in ingress and egress of port, Decrease in road accidents. Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and local pollutants

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 5 years

Estimated Cost: £22m

Where might the match funding come from: WAG Transport - Principal Road Grant, Stena Ports Ltd, Isle of Anglesey County Council

___________________________________________________________________________________________ 
  

Date: 21/11/07

Organisation Name: Sewta (South East Wales Transport Alliance)

Project Description: Project Title Eastern Valleys Rail Package (R3)

Project Aim:
To improve access to employment by improving connectivity, both within the Eastern Valleys, and between the valley communities and major employment centres, by enhancing the railway network. The project will contribute to the implementation of the Wales Transport Strategy, and the Regional Transport Plan. It will be delivered in three phases:

Phase One - Scheme R3.1
•    Abergavenny Line Frequency Enhancements

Phase Two – Scheme R3.2
•    Ebbw Valley Phase 2

Phase Three - Scheme R3.3
•    Station Improvement Schemes including Pedestrian Routes to Stations,
Park & Ride, and Future Scheme Development


Eastern Valleys Phase One - Scheme R3.1 Abergavenny Line Frequency Enhancements

A package of measures is proposed to be delivered in phases between 2011 and 2013 on the Abergavenny line leading to additional half hourly local services, calling at the existing stations at Cwmbran and Pontypool & New Inn, and new local stations at Caerleon and St. Mellons.

Faster and more frequent services between North and South Wales are supported by the Welsh Assembly Government's "One Wales" manifesto. The scheme will bring wider benefits by removing the need for long distance services to call at Pontypool and New Inn, which will be served by the new local Abergavenny services. Cwmbran will also receive increased frequency of service, whilst Pontypool and New Inn would receive a level of service to support significant development within the station catchment.
The package of measures if feasible includes a new turnback platform at Abergavenny, and increased signalling capacity through Pontypool and New Inn to Cwmbran and Newport. This will also improve reliability, offer significant benefits to the communities along the corridor from Abergavenny to Pontypool, Cwmbran and Newport, as well as improved connections to the wider rail network, and will enhance freight opportunities.

Whilst many of the enhancements within R3.1 strictly lie outside the Convergence zone, the benefits will be mainly derived within it. The scheme will enable residents to access the jobs in the wider region, and thereby embrace the European focus on these key areas of economic activity. The scheme focuses on building capacity to deliver high quality services, whilst also increasing accessibility through infrastructure, all of which are key drivers within the Strategic Framework.


Eastern Valleys Phase Two - Scheme R3.2 Ebbw Valley Phase 2

The recent successful extension of passenger services on the Vale of Glamorgan line is being followed by the introduction of passenger services to Ebbw Vale Parkway, involving six new stations and hourly services to Cardiff.

The Ebbw Valley Phase 2 project will further extend the rail services to Ebbw Vale town, providing a half hourly service, one of which will offer an hourly Cardiff facility, and the other an hourly Newport facility.

Track and signalling enhancements at Gaer and Park Junctions are an essential precursor to the provision of a train service between Ebbw Vale and Newport. Network Rail is promoting the early implementation of these works in tandem with the Newport Area Signalling Renewal project in 2010.
Once these works are provided, a fully signalled dynamic passing loop at the optimum location and length to maximise performance and secure even headway operation is needed, extending the existing provision.

The scheme will ensure that the Cardiff bound train does not have to be split en route at Rogerstone, or undertake a longer and potentially less reliable journey via Newport. It will ensure that the Welsh Assembly Government's vision to extend half hourly services to all the Heads of the Valleys Rail Network is delivered, making journey times more competitive with the private car. The proposed project will also offer significant benefits to the communities between Newport and Ebbw Vale, as well as improved connections to the wider rail network.


Eastern Valleys Phase Three - Scheme R3.3 Station Improvements Schemes including Pedestrian Routes to Stations and Future Scheme Development

In parallel with service capacity changes, and to ensure continued rail passenger growth, there is a need to improve the attractiveness of rail stations and improve access to the existing rail network. . Measures
include:
•    Station facility improvements - such as improved waiting shelters and,
at larger staffed stations, toilets;
•    Station access improvements - such as improved pedestrian and cycle
access, cycle parking, integrated bus and taxi facilities, and facilities for the mobility impaired;
•    Customer information improvements - including real-time information (and
associated trackside train detection) which increases passenger confidence;
•    Safety and security measures - including CCTV and lighting; and
•    Park and ride expansion and quality improvements.

The priority locations for general station facility improvements within the Convergence Zone Eastern Valleys are at Cwmbran and Pontypool & New Inn.
Investment will take account of the latest standards for station design, and where appropriate the measures implemented will seek to improve access for the mobility impaired, as well as for those with pushchairs, prams, shopping and heavy luggage.

The stations identified are amongst the busiest within the Sewta region and the co-ordinated approach would not only secure improved access to and from the Convergence zone but would also coincide with the frequency increases.

It is important that funding is provided to ensure the development of future schemes through the feasibility and business case assessment stages. Within this phase, more work is needed to enable the locations for the new station proposals at Llantarnam and Sebastopol to be confirmed, taking account of railway engineering, operational and planning issues.
Further development work will assess the origin and destination of existing and future demand, as well as undertaking a wide ranging business case assessment. This work will ensure that the scheme is ready to move forward to design and implementation at the earliest opportunity.


Related Priorities and Themes

ERDF (European Regional Development Fund):
Priority 3: Theme 1 - Sustainable Transport Priority 4: Theme 2 - Climate Change - Adaptation Priority 4: Theme 3 - Environment for growth Priority 5: Theme 1 – Physical Regeneration

ESF (European Social Fund):
Priority 2: Theme 1 - Helping people into Sustainable Employment

Email Address: martin@bucklem.fsnet.co.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: South East Wales

Organisation Core Business: The co-ordination of transport planning and scheme delivery on behalf of 10 local authorities.

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Sewta; Arriva Trains Wales, Monmouthshire CC, Network Rail, Newport CC, Torfaen CBC, Welsh Assembly Government.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Residents and businesses in the Eastern Valleys

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: South East - The Capital Network

What might the outputs(activity measures):

1.    Numbers of public transport services created or improved; 2.     Numbers of intermodal facilities created or improved;
3.    Railways created or reconstructed, and pinch-points tackled.

What might be the results of the project: 1.     Enhancement of rail service capacity, frequencies and
accessibility, including freight; 2.    Gross increase of passenger kilometres on public transport;
3.    Improvement in reliability, customer satisfaction, comfort and convenience;
4.    Reduction in car dependency by providing affordable alternatives;
5.    Gross jobs created;
6.    Enhanced accessibility to jobs;
7.    Enhanced accessibility to customers and workforce for Valleys businesses.

What would its impact be: 1.    Net increase in passenger kilometres on public transport.2.    Reduction in the number of car journeys, thus reducing congestion, and producing time savings;
3.    Net jobs created;
4.    Removal of barriers to work, thus reducing economic inactivity and extending equality of opportunity;
5.    Reduction in carbon emissions, thus promoting environmental sustainability;
6.    Extended population within travel time threshold of a key centre, thus promoting agglomeration effects;
7.    Regeneration of the environment and economy of valley communities.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Physical scale: the project will involve works on the Marches, Ebbw Valley and South Wales main rail lines.

Estimated Cost: To be confirmed

Where might the match funding come from: Transport Grant; Regional Transport Plan; Heads of the Valleys Partnership
  
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