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Wales Online
7 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
Anger over planned rail works at night in middle of exam season
Anger over planned rail works at night in middle of exam season Transport for Wales (TfW) said the work to replace the old tracks on the Coryton line is safety critical and needs to be done at night Residents living in Cyncoed are worried about the timing of new railway works near their homes (Image: John Myers ) Parents in Cardiff are worried night-time railway works taking place from this week will affect children taking their GCSEs and A-level exams. Transport for Wales (TfW) has been carrying out works to upgrade and electrify the Coryton line for months. Work has now started on replacing the track from Highfield Road to Monthermer Road and residents living nearby have been told by TfW that it would take place from 8.30pm each night from Saturday to Wednesday for around five weeks. One parent, Matt, who lives in Cyncoed, told us late-night pile driving as part of the electrification works woke him and his child up on occasions and he worries the same thing will happen again. Never miss a Cardiff story and sign up to our newsletter here. Matt said: "He has got his GCSE [exam]... right in the middle of this period when they are going to be working. "Usually a teenager can sleep through anything, but if it's anything like when they were driving the pilings in or using the chainsaws then he will be woken up." When we approached TfW for a comment, it said the work to replace the old tracks on the Coryton line is safety critical. Article continues below A spokesperson for TfW also said due to the nature of the work, it has to be carried out during the night when trains are not running and it plans to keep noise to a minimum by using acoustic barriers. Engineering work to prepare for the electrification of the Coryton line, which is part of the wider South Wales Metro project, started in October 2024. Some residents living near the Coryton line said the work that took place during the night last year was disruptive (Image: John Myers ) Describing what it was like to live with the noise that was caused by pile driving, Matt said: "It really thudded. If you'd fallen asleep, the thud of putting the pilings in would still wake you up [with the] windows shut." Matt said works would start late at night and go on until the early hours of the morning. He added: "Once you got woken up, you... try to go back to sleep again, but you are on tenterhooks waiting for the next noise to start and it is not like it is a regular noise either." Upgrading the Core Valleys Lines forms a key part of the South Wales Metro project and involves the electrification of 170km of railway track. The work on railway lines also includes those to Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney and Treherbert, and it will allow TfW to run new electric trains on them. One resident living in Cyncoed who wished to remain anonymous said: "Hopefully when they finally get it all working, the noise impact will be less. [I am] told the electric trains will be much quieter. "We were told that it would be a positive thing, but so far [that is] not our experience." The resident went on to say their child hasn't been affected by the noise recently, but added past works have been disruptive. Describing the pile driving work which took place months ago, she added: "It was awful. I can't explain to you how loud it was. The garden was vibrating. I actually went to stay somewhere else for a couple of nights." Another Cyncoed resident who also wished to remain anonymous said the pile driving works were disruptive and woke him up at night. He said: "You have got the noise and you have got the light. They have got to be safe in doing it, so the light is very strong. It is very disruptive." The resident said he doesn't have any children who are taking GCSEs or A-levels, but added: "I feel for people who do." A TfW spokesperson said: 'Safety critical work to replace old track between Monthermer Road and Highfield Road forms part of our ongoing transformation of the Coryton and Rhymney lines, which will allow us to introduce brand-new trains on these routes from this summer. 'Due to the nature of the work it must take place during the night-time when trains are not running, but we aim to keep noise to a minimum as much as possible by using acoustic barriers. 'Residents living close to the railway line have been informed of the work and can contact our customer relations team using the details provided should they have any concerns.' Article continues below Cardiff Council as the local education authority was approached for a comment about parents' concerns.
North Wales Chronicle
22-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Plans for North Wales metro service unveiled by Welsh Government
More rail and bus services, pay as you go technology and station improvements have been promised to be rolled out across the region over the next decade. The Welsh Government says the plan, branded Network North Wales, will 'unlock the economic potential' of the area and the cross-border region. Once completed, it would see metro-style train services on the North Wales mainline, the Marches line (Chester to Wrexham) and a new, direct rail link between Wrexham and Liverpool. Plans for a North Wales Metro were first mooted as part of Welsh Labour's plan for the region in its 2016 manifesto, but little work has progressed on it in the decade since. Work on a South Wales Metro, which has seen the development of a London underground-style rail network across Cardiff and the Valleys, is due to be completed in 2026. The latest plans were unveiled by Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, at a Public Transport Summit in Wrexham on Thursday. Mr Skates said the Government has already 'delivered significantly for South Wales' and 'now is the right time for North Wales to get the same level of ambition'. The transport minister promised 'delivery at an unprecedented pace' with a long-term vision, including the rollout of pay-as-you-go, improved stations, increased services and an additional integrated bus service as part of immediate changes over the next 12 months. He said: 'UK Government, local government, Transport for Wales and English local authorities are working with us to deliver this bold programme of work to better connect communities, with more rail and bus services and greater integration, new stations, new transport routes, new trains, new buses, new technology. 'A network of public transport services that will include cross-border turn-up and go bus and rail services, extending the Northern Arc from Hull to Holyhead. 'With unprecedented partnership across governments, across borders and across the north, we have the opportunity to turn dreams into reality, to deliver on an enduring vision for what our a public transport network should look like. 'Most importantly, we have an opportunity to deliver the principal purpose of public transport – to drive economic growth and prosperity for all.' The plans include: – Commencing work on the line between Wrexham and Liverpool – Doubling train services between Wrexham and Chester next May – Bringing forward the introduction of 50% more services across the North Wales mainline from December 2026 to next May – including a new service from Llandudno to Liverpool and extending the Manchester Airport service to Holyhead in place of Llandudno. – Upon completion of rail line works at Padeswood, increase train services between Wrexham and Bidston to two trains per hour within the next three years, with four trains per hour running direct between Wrexham and Liverpool by 2035. The existing Borderlands Line will also be renamed the Wrexham – Liverpool line, with trains wrapped to reflect the communities and football clubs they serve. Key stations on the line will see improvements over the next 12 months.
Leader Live
22-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Plans for North Wales metro service unveiled by Welsh Government
More rail and bus services, pay as you go technology and station improvements have been promised to be rolled out across the region over the next decade. The Welsh Government says the plan, branded Network North Wales, will 'unlock the economic potential' of the area and the cross-border region. Once completed, it would see metro-style train services on the North Wales mainline, the Marches line (Chester to Wrexham) and a new, direct rail link between Wrexham and Liverpool. Plans for a North Wales Metro were first mooted as part of Welsh Labour's plan for the region in its 2016 manifesto, but little work has progressed on it in the decade since. Work on a South Wales Metro, which has seen the development of a London underground-style rail network across Cardiff and the Valleys, is due to be completed in 2026. The latest plans were unveiled by Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, at a Public Transport Summit in Wrexham on Thursday. Mr Skates said the Government has already 'delivered significantly for South Wales' and 'now is the right time for North Wales to get the same level of ambition'. The transport minister promised 'delivery at an unprecedented pace' with a long-term vision, including the rollout of pay-as-you-go, improved stations, increased services and an additional integrated bus service as part of immediate changes over the next 12 months. He said: 'UK Government, local government, Transport for Wales and English local authorities are working with us to deliver this bold programme of work to better connect communities, with more rail and bus services and greater integration, new stations, new transport routes, new trains, new buses, new technology. 'A network of public transport services that will include cross-border turn-up and go bus and rail services, extending the Northern Arc from Hull to Holyhead. 'With unprecedented partnership across governments, across borders and across the north, we have the opportunity to turn dreams into reality, to deliver on an enduring vision for what our a public transport network should look like. 'Most importantly, we have an opportunity to deliver the principal purpose of public transport – to drive economic growth and prosperity for all.' The plans include: – Commencing work on the line between Wrexham and Liverpool – Doubling train services between Wrexham and Chester next May – Bringing forward the introduction of 50% more services across the North Wales mainline from December 2026 to next May – including a new service from Llandudno to Liverpool and extending the Manchester Airport service to Holyhead in place of Llandudno. – Upon completion of rail line works at Padeswood, increase train services between Wrexham and Bidston to two trains per hour within the next three years, with four trains per hour running direct between Wrexham and Liverpool by 2035. The existing Borderlands Line will also be renamed the Wrexham – Liverpool line, with trains wrapped to reflect the communities and football clubs they serve. Key stations on the line will see improvements over the next 12 months.
Powys County Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Plans for North Wales metro service unveiled by Welsh Government
Plans for an 'integrated, high-frequency public transport network' for North Wales, including a metro service between Wrexham and Liverpool, have been revealed by the Welsh Government. More rail and bus services, pay as you go technology and station improvements have been promised to be rolled out across the region over the next decade. The Welsh Government says the plan, branded Network North Wales, will 'unlock the economic potential' of the area and the cross-border region. Once completed, it would see metro-style train services on the North Wales mainline, the Marches line (Chester to Wrexham) and a new, direct rail link between Wrexham and Liverpool. Plans for a North Wales Metro were first mooted as part of Welsh Labour's plan for the region in its 2016 manifesto, but little work has progressed on it in the decade since. Work on a South Wales Metro, which has seen the development of a London underground-style rail network across Cardiff and the Valleys, is due to be completed in 2026. The latest plans were unveiled by Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, at a Public Transport Summit in Wrexham on Thursday. Mr Skates said the Government has already 'delivered significantly for South Wales' and 'now is the right time for North Wales to get the same level of ambition'. The transport minister promised 'delivery at an unprecedented pace' with a long-term vision, including the rollout of pay-as-you-go, improved stations, increased services and an additional integrated bus service as part of immediate changes over the next 12 months. He said: 'UK Government, local government, Transport for Wales and English local authorities are working with us to deliver this bold programme of work to better connect communities, with more rail and bus services and greater integration, new stations, new transport routes, new trains, new buses, new technology. 'A network of public transport services that will include cross-border turn-up and go bus and rail services, extending the Northern Arc from Hull to Holyhead. 'With unprecedented partnership across governments, across borders and across the north, we have the opportunity to turn dreams into reality, to deliver on an enduring vision for what our a public transport network should look like. 'Most importantly, we have an opportunity to deliver the principal purpose of public transport – to drive economic growth and prosperity for all.' The plans include: – Commencing work on the line between Wrexham and Liverpool – Doubling train services between Wrexham and Chester next May – Bringing forward the introduction of 50% more services across the North Wales mainline from December 2026 to next May – including a new service from Llandudno to Liverpool and extending the Manchester Airport service to Holyhead in place of Llandudno. – Upon completion of rail line works at Padeswood, increase train services between Wrexham and Bidston to two trains per hour within the next three years, with four trains per hour running direct between Wrexham and Liverpool by 2035. The existing Borderlands Line will also be renamed the Wrexham – Liverpool line, with trains wrapped to reflect the communities and football clubs they serve.
Rhyl Journal
22-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Plans for North Wales metro service unveiled by Welsh Government
More rail and bus services, pay as you go technology and station improvements have been promised to be rolled out across the region over the next decade. The Welsh Government says the plan, branded Network North Wales, will 'unlock the economic potential' of the area and the cross-border region. Once completed, it would see metro-style train services on the North Wales mainline, the Marches line (Chester to Wrexham) and a new, direct rail link between Wrexham and Liverpool. Plans for a North Wales Metro were first mooted as part of Welsh Labour's plan for the region in its 2016 manifesto, but little work has progressed on it in the decade since. Work on a South Wales Metro, which has seen the development of a London underground-style rail network across Cardiff and the Valleys, is due to be completed in 2026. The latest plans were unveiled by Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, at a Public Transport Summit in Wrexham on Thursday. Mr Skates said the Government has already 'delivered significantly for South Wales' and 'now is the right time for North Wales to get the same level of ambition'. The transport minister promised 'delivery at an unprecedented pace' with a long-term vision, including the rollout of pay-as-you-go, improved stations, increased services and an additional integrated bus service as part of immediate changes over the next 12 months. He said: 'UK Government, local government, Transport for Wales and English local authorities are working with us to deliver this bold programme of work to better connect communities, with more rail and bus services and greater integration, new stations, new transport routes, new trains, new buses, new technology. 'A network of public transport services that will include cross-border turn-up and go bus and rail services, extending the Northern Arc from Hull to Holyhead. 'With unprecedented partnership across governments, across borders and across the north, we have the opportunity to turn dreams into reality, to deliver on an enduring vision for what our a public transport network should look like. 'Most importantly, we have an opportunity to deliver the principal purpose of public transport – to drive economic growth and prosperity for all.' The plans include: – Commencing work on the line between Wrexham and Liverpool – Doubling train services between Wrexham and Chester next May – Bringing forward the introduction of 50% more services across the North Wales mainline from December 2026 to next May – including a new service from Llandudno to Liverpool and extending the Manchester Airport service to Holyhead in place of Llandudno. – Upon completion of rail line works at Padeswood, increase train services between Wrexham and Bidston to two trains per hour within the next three years, with four trains per hour running direct between Wrexham and Liverpool by 2035. The existing Borderlands Line will also be renamed the Wrexham – Liverpool line, with trains wrapped to reflect the communities and football clubs they serve. Key stations on the line will see improvements over the next 12 months.
