New depot work underway for South Wales Metro

Transport for Wales has reached a key milestone in their plans to build a £100 million depot that will be at the heart of South Wales Metro operations.

Situated in Rhondda Cynon Taf, the development of the depot at Taff’s Well will be the first major works as part of TfW’s transformation of the valleys rail network for the South Wales Metro, as part of the wider £5 billion investment to transform transport in Wales.

Demolition works have begun at the site in Taff’s Well to make way for tram-train maintenance and stabling facilities. The modern depot will maintain brand new Metro vehicles which are due to enter service from 2022. The site will also include a new Integrated Control Centre which will manage the operation of services on the Metro lines.

The South Wales Metro is a multimodal integrated public transport network which will transform rail services, local bus services and active travel. This will include an investment of £738 million into the valley lines to Treherbert, Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney and Coryton. Over 170km of track will be electrified and track, stations and signalling will all be upgraded, including the building of at least five brand new stations.

The South Wales Metro project has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through Welsh Government.

Revolutionising transport for local communities and improving connectivity across the region, the South Wales Metro will provide four trains per hour between Cardiff and Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil from December 2022.

The Welsh Government own over five hectares of land at Garth Works Industrial Estate and demolition will begin in July for construction to follow.

Transport for Wales will also be improving facilities at Taff’s Well station, including a new accessible footbridge and an enlarged park-and-ride facility enabling more people to access Metro services. Electric vehicle charging points will be included in the park and ride facility and active travel measures will be enhanced.

“It’s great that work has begun at Garth Works Industrial Estate, in the future this will become a central facility for Transport for Wales and today signifies a key milestone on our journey to deliver the South Wales Metro,” commented James Price, CEO of Transport for Wales.

“The Garth Works site has a long and proud industrial heritage and it’s great that we’ll be maintaining that as the site enters this new phase.

“The South Wales Metro is a very exciting project that will totally revolutionise travel across South Wales, providing major social, economic and environmental benefits – and a much-improved experience for our customers. Successful delivery of the South Wales Metro requires professional collaborative working and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our partners who are part of the journey to transform transport throughout Wales.”

Economy and Transport Minister Ken Skates, said: “The South Wales Metro will be one of the most modern systems-in the UK and will create essential transport links for our communities throughout towns and the city. The frequent services it will make available will enhance the experience for the people of Wales and encourage more people to leave their cars at home and use a train for both their daily commute and recreational pursuits.”