£5m Welsh Government LTF funding provides a significant boost for the South East Wales Metro Plus Schemes
At its latest meeting on June 4 2020, the Cardiff Capital Region Transport Authority (RTA), which comprises elected transport portfolio leads from the ten local authorities in South-East Wales, has announced notification of its successful application for Welsh Government LTF funding for Metro Plus schemes. These schemes include the 10 ‘Future Mobility’ Metro plus Phase 1 projects, the Metro Enhancement Framework (MEF) Programme and the proposed Metro Plus Phase 2 Programme.
LTF Award
Following positive feedback from Welsh Government (WG) on the RTA’s bid for 2020/21 LTF funding, £5m has been secured.
Metro Phase 1
All Metro Phase 1 projects are progressing in line with expectations. Both the Pentrebach Park and Ride scheme and the Abertilery Transport Interchange scheme are now also showing progress despite complex land acquisition challenges.
The Metro plus Phase 1 schemes that make up the programme are:
· Pontypool and New Inn Park and Ride,
· Severn Tunnel Junction Park and Ride,
· Pyle Park and Ride,
· Pentrebach Interchange,
· Porth Transport Interchange,
· Abertillery Transport Hub,
· Caerphilly Interchange,
· Barry Docks Interchange,
· Cardiff East Bus Priority
· Newport to Cardiff Transport Priority.
Metro Enhancement Framework
All 4 transport corridor programmes which include:
· Maesteg – Bridgend – Porthcawl – Cardiff
· Vale of Glamorgan – Cardiff
· Newport – Chepstow
· North West Cardiff
· Are making steady progress with North West Cardiff and Newport – Chepstow ready to move to the next WelTAG stage.
Metro Phase 2
The Metro Plus Phase 2 programme is at the very early stages of development and includes the following schemes:
· Brackla Railway Station
· Pencoed Level Crossing
· Abergavenny station interchange & improvements
· Cardiff Bus Priority
· Cwmbran Interchange
· Cogan Interchange
· Ystrad Mynach P&R extension
· Hirwaun Rail extension and P&R
· Cardiff Bus priority between Newport city centre and the international conference centre Wales
· Merthyr Rail – Bus Connectivity and
· Brynmawr Transport Interchange.
Sustainable Transport
It was also reported that a total of £26,112,817 of proposals in the form of “Expressions of Interest” had been submitted to the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport by the 10 CCR local authorities to progress sustainable transport measures in response to Covid-19.
Cllr Huw David, Chair of the CCR Transport Authority, said: “This is excellent news for the Cardiff Capital Region. The Welsh Government award represents a significant investment in our transportation and will allow us to proceed with confidence.
“I am also delighted that despite the challenges we have all faced over recent months that we continue to make such good progress on all our transport programmes.
“Every single local authority area will benefit from transport infrastructure improvements from Bridgend in the west to Monmouthshire in East, in our cities and in our valleys so it is vital we sustain momentum across the whole portfolio of transport initiatives.”
Kellie Beirne, Director CCR City Deal said: “This portfolio of transport indicatives’ is fundamental to our ambition to create a truly Connected, Competitive, Resilient region.
“I am delighted we have been able to secure the LTF funding award, and at the levels of collaboration we are continuing to experience despite the immense challenges being faced by everyone.
“It is a testament to the hard work, commitment and dedication of everyone involved that we continue to be able to report such positive progress.”
