Organisation Name: Welsh Assembly Government

Project Description: West of Swansea South Wales Mainline Railway Track Re-Doubling - To re-double the South Wales Mainline Railway Track West of Swansea between Llanelli (Duffryn West) and Swansea (Cockett West) to provide a more robust rail passenger timetable and the capacity for enhanced passenger rail commuter services between Swansea and Gowerton Stations and longer distance passenger rail services to South West and Central Wales.

Email Address: jason.thomas@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: South West Wales in the local authority areas of Carmarthenshire County and the City and County of Swansea Councils

Organisation Core Business: Devolved Assembly Government

Who will be involved in delivering the project: Public and Private sectors: Welsh Assembly Government,, South West Wales Integrated transport Consortium (SWWITCH), Network Rail, Arriva Trains Wales

Who will be the end beneficiaries: Residents of South West and Central Wales; Businesses in South West & Central Wales; Rail users; Commuters, shoppers, visitors and the general public.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Swansea Bay: The Waterfront and Western Valleys; Central Wales; Pembrokeshire Haven. Also linked to South East Wales: Capital Network.

What might the outputs be (activity measures): Passenger Rail Services Improved; New rail services created; Railroad reconstructed and Increased in capacity; . Intermodal facilities improved at the suburban railway station of Gowerton;

What might be the results of the project: Gross jobs created; Increase in gross passenger kilometres by sustainble transport ; Reduced CO2 emissions from Transport sector through modal shift; Increased integration with other public transort modes; Improved international connectivity through access to the UK and European rail network

What would its impact be: Increase in net passenger kilometres by rail and bus public transport; Net increase in Jobs created; Value of time savings; Improved connectivity by rail between key South West Wales settlements

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Increase in net passenger kilometres by rail and bus public transport; Net increase in Jobs created; Value of time savings; Improved connectivity by rail between key South West Wales settlements

Estimated Cost: £32.2 million

Where might the match funding come from: Welsh Assembly Government and Network Rail

Date:19/05/2008

Organisation Name:  Cyngor Gwynedd Council

Project Description: The aim of the project is to replace Pont Briwat, a bridge spanning the River Dwyryd which is situated between Penrhyndeudraeth and Llandecwyn in Meirionnydd.

The bridge is in an extremely bad state of repair and unless urgent action is taken to replace it, this could lead to a significant gap being created in the local and national rail and road infrastructure.

The bridge serves the Cambrian Coast railway from Pwllheli along the Meirionnydd coast to  Aberystwyth, and connections East to Shrewsbury and beyond. Currently the bridge  provides a single-track traffic controlled road for cars. It is currently unsuitable for large and emergency vehicles. It is unsafe for cyclists or pedestrians to use the bridge.

The aim of the project is to build the bridge to a higher specification that will open new opportunities for local people, visitors and the economy of Meirionnydd and Central and North West Wales.

The project will involve:

            Re-building the railway to higher specifications to meet health and safety requirements.

            Re-building the road which will allow for a two lane carriage-way suitable for the passage of heavy and emergency vehicles.

            Create a pedestrian and cycle route which will link with the Coastal Path and the National Cycle Route Lon Las Cymru) as well as local networks.

If this development does not take place, the cost of repairing the bridge, (and the railway in particular) could be too high to justify keeping the line open. This could lead to the railway link being lost completely, impacting directly on the local community, visitors to the area, and the economy as a whole. Questions would then also have to be raised regarding the long-term future of the single-track road. With no bridge in place this could lead to an additional 13 miles of travelling for a round trip from Talsarnau to Penrhyndeudraeth.

Email Address: Project Lead: DavidWynWilliams@gwynedd.gov.uk, Application Contact: EsylltRhysJones@gwynedd.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Gwynedd and North West and Central Wales

Organisation Core Business:  Local Authority

Who will be involved in delivering the project: The project is being led by Cyngor Gwynedd Council in partnership with Network Rail. It is being developed through a wide partnership including the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales, Welsh Assembly Government, CADW, Visit Wales, Sustrans, TRACC, TAITH, Community Councils and Snowdonia National Park Authority.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The principle end beneficiaries of the project are likely to be the economy, the environment and communities of Meirionnydd, Gwynedd, Central and North West Wales. Improved linkages will allow commuters and visitors to the area to benefit from the upgrading and re-development of the bridge. The improved link would also provide opportunities for economic development and activities in rural north and mid-Wales. It would create an accessible route for future potential investment and rural developments. The worst-case scenario of having no bridge whatsoever is that it will have an extremely negative impact on the region's economy, infrastructure and community well-being because of the obvious 'gap' it will create and the additional 13 miles it would add to a round-trip. The bridge will remove a current bottle-neck on the bridge and will allow for the passage of emergency and heavy vehicles thereby eliminating the current 13 additional miles that have to be made in order to avoid the bridge by these vehicles. The new proposed structure will provide a vital link for cyclists and walkers thus maintaining the strategic integrity of the All Wales Coastal Path and National Cycle Route 8. The latter is important from the joint perspectives of community health and well-being and the growth of activity tourism.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: Gwynedd, North West and Central Wales.

What might the outputs(activity measures Public Transport Services created or improved, Intermodal facilities created or improved, Rail roads created or reconstructed, Footpath or cycleway created or reconstructed

What might be the results of the project: Gross passenger km on public transport, Jobs accommodated, SMEs accommodated, Gross jobs created

What would its impact be Net passenger km on public transport, Value for time savings, Population within travel time threshold of a 'key centre'

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The project will create a new bridge to replace the existing Pont Briwat near Penrhyndeudraeth. Although this will create a new and dramatically improved crossing, the scale of its impact has wider regional significance with regard to the local and national road and rail infrastructure. The construction of a new bridge with multi-modal options will have an impact beyond the immediate locality having the potential to improve the strategic transport network of the region. The "knock on" effect of this linking to economic regeneration, and accessibility would be significant.

Estimated Cost: c.£13m

Where might the match funding come from: Gwynedd Council, Network Rail, and both the public and private sectors.

Date:14/05/2008

Organisation Name:  Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council

Project Description: Port Talbot Peripheral Distributor - Stage 2 - The scheme forms the final and main part of the Port Talbot Peripheral Distributor (PDR) connecting the town to M4 junction 38.

It will open up large areas of land in the Docks area for development, provide a major infrastructure improvement to the Docks, Corus and other development areas on the M4 corridor, and relieve congestion on the over capacity elevated section of the M4 in the area.

The scheme is identified in the Draft SWWITCH Regional Transport Plan and underpins the Wales Spatial Plan as essential for the economic development of the Port Talbot area and West Wales together with the provision of environmental benefits.

Email Address: Brian Biscoe:  b.biscoe@npt.gov.uk   For further information, please contact: European Office, Economic Development Unit, The Quays, Brunel Way, Baglan Energy Park, Neath, SA11 2GG, Tel 01639 686077. Eleanor Bishop, European Officer e.bishop@npt.gov.uk or Helen May, European Officer h.may@npt.gov.uk

Geographical Area of Operation: Local with pan Wales and UK wide connections

Organisation Core Business: Local Authority

Who will be involved in delivering the project: NPT staff, utilising sub consultants and contractors for implementation where appropriate, will manage the project

Who will be the end beneficiaries: 26,000 users per day using the scheme, along with other travellers who will benefit from reduction in congestion on the M4. Employers, employees, developers and the general travelling public

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

What might the outputs(activity measures 4.8Km of link road constructed

What might be the results of the project: Increased development potential and subsequent employment opportunities in the Port Talbot area. Added value to phase 1 of the scheme already constructed; reduction in congestion on the M4 making South West Wales region more attractive for investment

What would its impact be The scheme will encourage investment and development. Other impacts, increased employment opportunities, improved access to skills for SME's, reduction in congestion and pollution.

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: 4.8Km of dual carriageway link road constructed

Estimated Cost: £102,500,000

Where might the match funding come from: WAG, RTP Funding

Date:13/05/2008

Organisation Name: Cyngor Gwynedd Council

Project Description: The aim of the project is to replace Pont Briwat, a bridge spanning the River Dwyryd which is situated between Penrhyndeudraeth and Llandecwyn in Meirionnydd.

The bridge is in an extremely bad state of repair and unless urgent action is taken to replace it, this could lead to a significant gap being created in the local and national rail and road infrastructure.

The bridge serves the Cambrian Coast railway from Pwllheli along the Meirionnydd coast to  Aberystwyth, and connections East to Shrewsbury and beyond. Currently the bridge  provides a single-track traffic controlled road for cars. It is currently unsuitable for large and emergency vehicles. It is unsafe for cyclists or pedestrians to use the bridge.

The aim of the project is to build the bridge to a higher specification that will open new opportunities for local people, visitors and the economy of Meirionnydd and Central and North West Wales.

The project will involve:

•     Re-building the railway to higher specifications to meet health and

safety requirements.

•     Re-building the road which will allow for a two lane carriage-way

suitable for the passage of heavy and emergency vehicles.

•     Create a pedestrian and cycle route which will link with the Coastal

Path and the National Cycle Route Lon Las Cymru) as well as local networks.

If this development does not take place, the cost of repairing the bridge, (and the railway in particular) could be too high to justify keeping the line open. This could lead to the railway link being lost completely, impacting directly on the local community, visitors to the area, and the economy as a whole. Questions would then also have to be raised regarding the long-term future of the single-track road. With no bridge in place this could lead to an additional 13 miles of travelling for a round trip from Talsarnau to Penrhyndeudraeth.

Email Address: DavidWynWilliams@gwynedd.gov.uk / EsylltRhysJones@gwynedd.gov.uk  

Geographical Area of Operation: Gwynedd, North West and Central Wales

Organisation Core Business: Local Authority

Who will be involved in delivering the project: The project is being led by Cyngor Gwynedd Council in partnership with Network Rail. It is being developed through a wide partnership including the Countryside Council for Wales, Environment Agency Wales, Welsh Assembly Government, CADW, Visit Wales, Sustrans, TRACC, TAITH, Community Councils and Snowdonia National Park Authority.

Who will be the end beneficiaries: The principle end beneficiaries of the project are likely to be the economy, the environment and communities of Meirionnydd, Gwynedd, Central and North West Wales. Improved linkages will allow commuters and visitors to the area to benefit from the upgrading and re-development of the bridge. The improved link would also provide opportunities for economic development and activities in rural north and mid-Wales. It would create an accessible route for future potential investment and rural developments. The worst-case scenario of having no bridge whatsoever is that it will have an extremely negative impact on the region’s economy, infrastructure and community well-being because of the obvious ‘gap’ it will create and the additional 13 miles it would add to a round-trip. The bridge will remove a current bottle-neck on the bridge and will allow for the passage of emergency and heavy vehicles thereby eliminating the current 13 additional miles that have to be made in order to avoid the bridge by these vehicles. The new proposed structure will provide a vital link for cyclists and walkers thus maintaining the strategic integrity of the All Wales Coastal Path and National Cycle Route 8. The latter is important from the joint perspectives of community health and well-being and the growth of activity tourism.

Spatial area/s to be covered by the project: North West and Central Wales.

Public Transport Services created or improved, Intermodal facilities created or improved, Rail roads created or reconstructed, Footpath or cycleway created or reconstructed

What might the outputs(activity measures): Gross passenger km on public transport, Jobs accommodated, SMEs accommodated, Gross jobs created

What might be the results of the project: Net passenger km on public transport, Value for time savings, Population within travel time threshold of a ‘key centre’

What would its impact be: Net passenger km on public transport, Value for time savings, Population within travel time threshold of a ‘key centre’

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: The project will create a new bridge to replace the existing Pont Briwat near Penrhyndeudraeth. Although this will create a new and dramatically improved crossing, the scale of its impact has wider regional significance with regard to the local and national road and rail infrastructure. The construction of a new bridge with multi-modal options will have an impact beyond the immediate locality having the potential to improve the strategic transport network of the region. The “knock on”

effect of this linking to economic regeneration, and accessibility would be significant.

Estimated Cost: c.£13m

Where might the match funding come from: Gwynedd Council, Network Rail, and both the public and private sectors.

Date:28/04/2008

Organisation Name:  SWWITCH

Project Description: Social Enterprise Schemes (2 packages) - Development of community and innovative transport schemes, to serve needs not currently met by conventional public transport services and to supplement conventional services to provide access to employment and training opportunities

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

Geographical Area of Operation: South west Wales

Organisation Core Business: Transport Consortium / Local Authorities

Who will be involved in delivering the project: SWWITCH authorities will work in partnership with existing community transport operators / new social enterprise operators and appropriate organisations like CTA Wales

Who will be the end beneficiaries: People without regular access to a car, job seekers, residents seeking to improve skills and take up work related training activities

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

What might the outputs(activity measures New transport services created

What might be the results of the project: Improved access to jobs/training and reduced economic activity and dependance on benefits

What would its impact be Gross passenger kms on public transport services

Roughly what might be the scale of the project: Net passenger kms on public transport

Estimated Cost: £5-10 million

Where might the match funding come from: Regional Transport Plan, Rural Development Fund

Date:27/03/2008

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

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