Multi-million pound rail and bus improvements could transform public transport, boost business and create jobs in and around Swansea.
The proposals form part of a Transport for Wales (TfW) vision, a £14bn package of bold, generational rail schemes backed by the UK and Welsh Governments. Across South West Wales the proposals include:
- Electrification of the line between Cardiff and Swansea
- Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro main line stations at Landore and Winch Wen to be served by main line and Metro services
- Potential for up to five more community Swansea Bay metro hubs for Pontlliw, Felindre, Morriston, Llandarcy and Cockett
- Further upgrades for lines onwards from Swansea to Pontarddulais, Ammanford, Pembrey, St Clears, Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock
- Further into the future a10-mile expansion of the Swansea Bay Metro from Swansea to Neath and Tonna using light rail on existing lines and on-street running linking Swansea High Street station, the city centre and waterfront, and Swansea university campus with Neath, Tonna and Aberdulais at a potential cost of around £1bn
Swansea Council Leader, Rob Stewart, said: “We all want to see better rail links into Swansea and across South West Wales.
“Transport links from London and the rest of UK to our part of Wales are critical to help deliver a strong local economy, supported by innovation in new technology and investment in new sectors like clean energy.”
“The electrification of mainline services into Swansea are all part of the vision that will also create thousands of jobs in construction and secure thousands more in the long term.
“These improvements to our transport network will reduce journey times and increase the capacity for more traffic on the railways, connecting with bus, cycling and walking routes in our communities.
“We’ll also be the first region in Wales to adopt a new bus franchise and by reforming bus franchising we will have more local control over bus services and help deliver a single public transport system within reach of every community.
“This will make it easier to link rail and bus services by having one timetable and one ticket to be used on either service across the region.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates, said: “There are exciting times ahead for transport in the Swansea area, from transforming bus services to the potential for generational rail schemes.
“With backing from the UK Government, we have plans to deliver real change and improvements across the whole of Wales.”
The proposed new stations in Swansea will help provide better connections across the city and make it easier for people to reach employment zones and popular attractions.
Cllr Stewart added, “Having a network of new stations across Swansea will be critical in terms of providing direct public transport links to hospitals, major employers including the DVLA and the Enterprise Zone in Llansamlet.
“They will also serve major attractions including the new Skyline development, Penderyn Distillery and the Swansea.Com stadium.
“This will make it easier for people who live and work in Swansea to get about the city and for those who want to visit our amazing coastline and attractions.”
