A Valleys train line will close for up to a year as work on the new South Wales Metro continues. The transformation of the Treherbert Line will mean the route between Pontypridd and Treherbert will be closed from April 30 until early 2024.
The closures has been brought in to allow for the latest phase of engineering work to continue on the South Wales Metro. The project involves the electrification of the core Valley lines (from Treherbert, Aberdare, Merthyr and Rhymney into Cardiff), as well as the Coryton and city lines through the capital down to Cardiff Bay.
As train services between Pontypridd and Treherbert won't be available during this time, Transport for Wales (TfW) will be offering 50% off the cost of travel for bus replacement services for people living in the Rhondda. The offer will apply for journeys on the line, journeys between stations on the line and locations through to Cardiff Central. TfW will be providing further details on how people can take up this offer in the coming weeks. Get the latest transport news from WalesOnline sent straight to your inbox by signing up to our free newsletter.
Read more: Inside the brand new trains being used on South Wales Metro as they enter service for the first time
During the first two weeks of the work on the Treherbert Line, the lines to Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil will also be closed for the Metro work. Bus replacement information will be available from Tuesday, March 28.
The current ‘Token Exchange Signalling System’ on the Treherbert Line was introduced in the mid-nineteenth century and some of the equipment still in use today is believed to date back to the 1930s. The infrastructure will now be removed and replaced with a modern, brand-new signalling system for the entire line as part of the South Wales Metro project.
The South Wales Metro work includes the diversion of gas and water mains, new station platforms at Treherbert, Ynyswen and Dinas Rhondda, new footbridges at Ynyswen and Dinas Rhondda, and the installation of new track and Overhead Line Equipment throughout the line. There will also be new and refurbished toilets, waiting rooms, shelters and the installation or upgrade of help points, CCTV cameras, ticket machines and customer information screens.
The Deputy Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for Transport, Lee Waters said: “This is a massive investment that will make a huge difference to all passengers. There will inevitably be disruption and inconvenience in the short term but it will bring an enormous improvement. Please bear with us, it will be worth it.”
Karl Gilmore, Transport for Wales, Rail Infrastructure Director said: “This is yet another key milestone for the South Wales Metro project. This is the biggest upgrade to the ageing Core Valley Lines infrastructure to this scale since it was first built and there is a great deal of work to be carried out by our teams and partners.
“We know it’s going to be hugely inconvenient while the line is closed between April and early 2024, but transforming the dated railway line and bringing it right up-to-date with a modern, electrified line that will allow us to run more frequent and greener services, giving the people of the Rhondda a rail service they deserve.
“Rail replacement services will run throughout the Treherbert Line transformation and customers wanting further information should check online or using our app.”
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