Welsh Government warned that Western Valleys must not be neglected in Swansea Bay Metro plans

The Welsh Government has been accused of neglecting the valleys of South West Wales as feasibility work progresses to develop a Swansea Bay and Western Valleys Metro.

The vision of developing the Metro, which could consist of re-opening railway lines, utilising light rail and buses, formed Plaid Cymru’s manifesto for the 2016 Assembly election.

In 2017, as part of a budget agreement with Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Government subsequently agreed to fund a feasibility study into its development.

Plaid has been consistent in stating that a Swansea Bay Metro must include transport improvements for the valley communities.

However, Dr. Dai Lloyd AM has been informed that the Welsh Government is due to receive a first report into the feasibility of developing the Metro in the next few weeks, but it seems that the report will not feature the feasibility of delivering transport improvements to the valleys of South West Wales.

Dr Lloyd has now written to the First Minister, Mark Drakeford AM seeking clarity on the issue.

Dr. Lloyd stated:

“Plaid Cymru has long campaigned for a Swansea Bay and Western Valleys Metro. It is clear, by looking at the level of congestion and pollution in parts of Swansea and Port Talbot that we need to significantly improve public transport system locally.

“We were pleased to have secured a feasibility study into the development of the Metro and that the Welsh Government were finally realising the importance of developing public transport in South West Wales.

“However, it has come to my attention that the Welsh Government is soon to receive a report on the feasibility of developing that Metro – but this will not include any feasibility work on re-opening the Swansea and Amman Valley railway lines for example.

“A feasibility study which fails to look into that option, would not only be a missed opportunity, but would also go against the spirit of the agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, when the funding for the feasibility study was agreed.”

Dr. Lloyd added:

“While the West Wales Parkway scheme and any reduction in journey times between West Wales and Cardiff is welcome, we also need to develop a Metro system which benefits all of the Swansea Bay region.

“Lines such as the Amman-Tawe should be reopened to passengers, as could the Neath Valley line, which used to run from Neath to Aberdare. And of course improving transport links to and from the Dulais and Afan Valleys.

“The Welsh Government must not allow the Western Valleys to be neglected, and must insist that any feasibility work looks at all possible options.”