Now that the Welsh Government has legislative powers, and is likely to receive financial borrowing powers shortly, we need to use these powers wisely and in particular implement a program of improvements to our economic base. Over the years we have spent a fortune on inducing foreign companies to invest in unpopular locations, and once the grants run out then so do the jobs.
The most efficient investments we can make is in our transport infrastructure – if we can not persuade employers to move to our deprived areas, then we should improve transport links to work locations to enable people to get from our poorer areas to where the jobs are. The presence of an efficient transport infrastructure is a major factor for companies considering inward investment, and this should be given the highest priority.
A report was recently published by Cardiff Business Partnership proposing the development of an integrated metro system serving Cardiff and South East Wales. The report made a compelling case for the metro based on business needs and economic development, and one issue that came across strongly was the need to fully devolve rail transport so to take control of rail investment in Wales, which is currently starved of funds by Westminster.
The report contained only limited details of a proposed network, so I have prepared a series of posts with some detailed proposals. While I will start with the south-east Wales rail network, I also have proposals for improving the rail networks elsewhere in Wales as well as some proposals for roads which I will publish separately later. I have already posted some thoughts on air transport here.
Coming back to south-east Wales, there is already an extensive suburban rail network around Cardiff, and I believe that this network should be removed from the dead hands of Arriva Trains Wales and assigned to a new operator, and developed into three separate metro networks, covering:
• Cardiff
• Glamorgan
• Newport & Gwent
The three systems should operate as a fully integrated and coordinated network with common ticketing which includes local bus services. However, each of the individual Metros should retain a separate unique identity, supported by relevant local authorities.
I am not proposing major investments, as the network largely exists. But for a relatively small investment we can implement significant improvement to the transport system, and we should not underestimate the intangible benefits that promoting the upgraded system as a Metro would bring.
I am not proposing major investments, as the network largely exists. But for a relatively small investment we can implement significant improvement to the transport system, and we should not underestimate the intangible benefits that promoting the upgraded system as a Metro would bring.
Four posts to follow…..
Don't forget Swansea. There's a real need to make Swansea the hub for business between the Tywi and Afan otherwise Cadiff will take everyting.
ReplyDeleteA line down the Tawe valley would be a good start.
I havent forgotten Swansea - will post on this once I have got SEW out of the way.
ReplyDeletePenddu
The Metro plan was drawn up solely for the benefit of Cardiff. Better rail links mean jobs concentrated in Cardiff more than ever and the Valleys becoming dormitories. As I blogged some time ago: http://jacothenorth.blogspot.com/2011/02/and-it-came-to-pass_9256.html
ReplyDeleteLet's think about other parts of the country for a change. Lines feeding into Swansea and a north-south rail link within Wales. It can only be Bangor-Caernarfon-Porthmadog-Barmouth-Machynlleth-Aberystwyth-Lampeter-Carmarthen-Swansea.
I think it was a strategic mistake to call the plan the Cardiff metro, it should have been called the Valleys Metro because it will enable greater movement within the valleys and not just Cardiff. There is a need for some new and reopened lines in Cardiff - track beds should be given protection against development and progressively reused as train/light rail/ tram tracks. The Cardiff Metro plan included cross valley services and I think this needs to be expanded. Cross ticketing should also apply to the buses - with a combined travel card.
ReplyDelete