Plans to extend the railway line from Aberdare to Hirwaun have taken a big step forward after Rhondda Cynon Taf Council received a financial boost in order to continue with the project. The council has received £239,633 from the Welsh Government through the Cardiff Capital Region Transport Authority to fund further studies into the proposals.
Two options have been considered for the project - the preferred one being an extension of the rail service from the existing Aberdare Railway Station to Hirwaun. This would be achieved by providing three new stations at Llwydcoed, Hirwaun Station Road/Penyard and Hirwaun Tower Colliery. The council said the Metro Plus project will complement the South Wales Metro, which will see four trains an hour serving Aberdare.
Transport for Wales is managing the project and the latest funding will enable various actions to be completed by the appointed consultant Atkins Global Ltd, which will enable a full business case to be put together in 2023-24. You can get the latest WalesOnline newsletters e-mailed to you directly for free by signing up here.
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Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and cabinet member for infrastructure and investment, said: “I’m pleased the council has successfully secured £239,633 funding for the next stage of development towards this Metro Plus project, which is a major extension of rail services from Aberdare to Hirwaun. It is an exciting project that is supported by the Cardiff Capital Region to complement delivery of the South Wales Metro - and is being progressed by the council and Transport for Wales.
"The Metro will bring huge benefits to local communities in Rhondda Cynon Taf. It will electrify around 170km of track around the south east Wales railway network, enabling high frequency fast trains to run from 2024. For example, these trains will run four times an hour from Aberdare and Treherbert, and 12 times an hour between Pontypridd and Cardiff.
"The trains, railway stations and signalling systems will be upgraded, while a multi-million pound depot to service the trains is under construction in Rhondda Cynon Taf, at Taffs Well. The Aberdare-Hirwaun extension is a Metro Plus scheme intended to complement delivery of the Metro. Last year, the project’s appraisal process identified a preferred option to be developed – to extend the Aberdare line with three new stations.
"The council also acquired the former chicken factory site near Llwydcoed in 2021, and continues to explore funding options for a station halt, park and ride, and modern business unit development at that site. The council will work closely with Transport for Wales and the appointed consultant Atkins over the weeks and months ahead, as further development work towards the outline business case is completed - with the intention of progressing to the full business case during the next financial year.”
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