Core Valley Lines project remains on track despite pandemic

Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government are working to mitigate any potential problems created by the pandemic that could delay the South Wales

Metro project.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales on February 8, Transport for Wales Chief Executive James Price said that any delays to the project to electrify the Core Valley Lines, would be down to the supply chain, with European factories having had to close for periods during the pandemic.

He added that any delay would be measured in months rather than years, with the electrified Core Valley Lines due to be finished in 2023.

A Transport for Wales spokesman told RAIL: “We are continuing to work with both Welsh Government and our delivery partner to mitigate any programme delay as a result of the ongoing global pandemic.

“We have remained resilient through the creation of a new business model and have already taken major steps forward with our transformation, including the completion of a three-week programme of enabling work on the Core Valley Lines last month.”

Speaking to the Welsh Affairs Committee on February 11, Price said that 50% of the operator’s traffic is on the South Wales Metro routes, despite it only being a small geographical area.

“The good news is it’s going ahead as planned. We think the demand will come back and we’ve had its funding reconfirmed,” he said.

Ownership of the Core Valley Lines transferred to the Welsh Government from Network Rail last year. Construction of the tramtrains that will run on the routes is under way.