Cardiff Metro update for LRTA members

Last Friday (14 April) over 30 members of the Light Rail Transit Association
gathered in Cardiff for their annual member’s day. The prime purpose was to
hear about the progress of and future plans for the Cardiff Metro project.
Members also used the Cardiff rail network to visit physical works at several
sites, including the Cardiff Bay line and the new depot at Taff’s Well.

There were excellent presentations from Mark Barry, Professor of Practice in
Connectivity at Cardiff University, on the background to the project and on
further proposals for Cardiff and the rest of Wales, and from representatives
of Transport for Wales (TfW), who brought members up to date with progress
on construction works and rolling stock acquisitions.

The overall impression was of a programme that is now really gaining
momentum, after some set-backs due to the Covid pandemic. The TfW team
were very enthusiastic for the success of their project.

The LRTA members were impressed with the Stadler Flirt class 231 trains
now being used on Rhymney to Penarth services.

Chair of the Light Rail Transit Association, Paul Rowen, said “It is great to see
the Welsh Government showing such foresight in developing an integrated
transport system along the lines first put forward by Professor Barry. He is a
prophet they should be very proud of. Wales could do much more if
Westminster devolved transport to the Welsh Government.”