Cardiff can have a genuinely turn-up-and-go train and tram network

IN THIS OPINION PIECE, PROFESSOR MARK BARRY SAYS THAT A SECOND PHASE OF CARDIFF CROSSRAIL WOULD TRANSFORM RAIL SERVICES IN CARDIFF BUT ALSO BENEFIT THE WIDER SOUTH WALES METRO PROF MARK

BARRY 11:35, 06 Jan 2025Updated 11:38, 06 Jan 2025 The key phase two of the Cardiff Crossrail project is vital for delivering a transformational 20 kilometre rapid transit network for the

capital based on a turn-up-and-go service. Building on the £100m already secured for its phase 1a - a tram link from Cardiff Central Station to Cardiff Bay - the entire Crossrail project

could cost around £1bn. By utilising and enhancing existing rail infrastructure this is estimated to be around two-thirds less than an entire new build project of up to £3bn. Following phase

1a - where plans for phase 1b would see a short extension to Pierhead Street - phase two is the essential foundation for the larger Cardiff Crossrail vision and would plug some of the gaps

in the current £1.1bn South Wales Metro rail electrification programme, which while a major improvement will see most of its benefits accruing north of the capital. READ MORE: Cardiff

Crossrail £100m city centre to Cardiff Bay tram link gets funding approvedREAD MORE: This coming year is a once-in-a-generation chance to end the second-class treatment of Wales'

railways So, we now need to focus effort on securing commitment for this essential and most important phase of the larger Crossrail vision, and one which begins to unlock some of the larger

city wide and regional benefits. It is a relatively low cost scheme estimated at around £150m to £200m, as it doesn't require a great deal of new track. It focuses on three key

interventions of the existing network (and maybe a fourth), plus a phased delivery of further new stations in Cardiff, where we have a high local population adjacent to existing rail lines.

Collectively this will enable a much greater utilisation of the existing rail asset, and in turn generating greater demand and improving the financial efficiency of Metro operations. Article

continues below There is a unique opportunity for Cardiff to develop a 20 kilometre rapid transit network, capable of carrying an additional 2,000 people an hour across the city - based on

four trains an hour (4tph) with doubled up tram-trains of 500 capacity. This would be at a fraction of the costs of a £2bn to £3bn new build by making much better use of the existing rail

assets in the city. The measures in phase two include: This relatively modest estimated package (£150m to £200m) will fill the gaps in the current Metro programme and deliver multiple

benefits, including: Phase two is also needed as a key building block for realising the full longer-term Cardiff Crossrail vision. This includes the north west corridor to Rhondda Cynon Taf,

a Radyr/Coryton Cardiff circle link and east across the docks to Newport Road, as well as an interchange with the south Wales Mainline. Phase two would also free up more platform capacity

at Cardiff Central for South Wales Mainline services and enhance the benefits of the investment in Metro Central - the work in development to enhance Cardiff Central Station. It would also

allow for a better balance of demand to capacity for Core Valley Line Metro services - creating more financially efficient operations which provides for lower subsidies per passenger. These

measures, collectively, will result in a Core Valley Line network that can attract more people, which I estimate at 25 million plus passengers per year, which is comparable with the

Newcastle Metro which has a similar catchment population. It would also operate more reliably and with a limited need for additional operational subsidy. The better allocation of

stock/services to demand will result in a reduction in the subsidy per passenger (funded by Welsh Government) required to operate Core Valley Lines services – with room for more if we make

tougher decision regarding staffing protocols. More importantly the measures can boost economic development and regeneration in the city. This has to be the focus for the next stage of Metro

development for Cardiff, the Cardiff Capital Region, Transport for Wales, Network Rail, Welsh Government, Department of Transport and the UK Government out to 2028/9. Without Cardiff

Crossrail phase two, Metro is only half done and the benefits of Metro Central compromised. Article continues below In the last few months the UK Government has committed to extending HS2 to

Euston at a cost likely to be well in excess of £5bn. Cardiff Crossrail phase two is likely to be better value for money. Mark Barry has written in more detail about Cardiff Crossrail,

Metro and other schemes needed in Wales in his online book How to build a Metro. A full version of this article can be found here