Asset transfer delay ‘won’t affect Valleys Line upgrade’

THE planned transfer of a key part of the Valleys rail network to the Welsh Government has been delayed.

For the Core Valleys Lines (CVL) infrastructure to transfer from Network Rail on September 20, as planned, Transport for Wales (TfW) would have had to “trigger” the process on July 25, but there are still unresolved issues.

TfW is currently unable to say when the process will be triggered and when the assets will be transferred.

But despite the delays, transport bosses remain confident they can still finish the promised upgrades, which will affect a huge swathe of the network, on time.

The Welsh Government wants to take ownership of the lines north of Cardiff Queen Street, plus the Cardiff Bay branch and City Line, so that Transport for Wales and its contractor, Amey Keolis Infrastructure, can modernise the tracks and trains in tandem.

There is a mountain of work ahead to electrify most of the 85 route miles, insert an additional track at 15 locations, build depots, bring in new trains and demonstrate that all the equipment is safe for the public to use.

New tram-trains need to start carrying passengers on the Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil lines by the end of 2022 to meet the deadline for EU funding. Tri-mode trains – using overhead power supply, batteries and diesel engines in different areas – are due on the Rhymney and Coryton lines by the end of 2023.

Last spring Transport Minister Ken Skates wrote to the UK Government to express his concerns about the September 20 deadline being missed.

“This could jeopardise the deliverability of the CVL modernisation in the way it was contractually programmed,” he warned.

“Furthermore, if a ‘no deal’ Brexit leads to a delay in the asset transfer and subsequently a requirement to reprogramme the South Wales Metro infrastructure works, there is potentially a risk to the availability of the associated £159m European Regional Development Funding,” said Mr Skates, ahead of the original Brexit deadline of March 29.

However, TfW has now created a contingency strategy in case of a delay to the infrastructure being transferred. A TfW spokesman said: “Transport for Wales has already started the preparatory work on the CVL transformation, which includes detailed survey and design work ahead of the start of the physical work on the existing infrastructure starting in 2020.

“We have already commenced work on site at Taff’s Well and Treforest for new depots, which are both key components of the transformation. There are no changes to the overall programme end date and we are continuing to progress this work.

“We will ensure the date of the asset transfer will not impact on the overall transformation programme of the Core Valleys Lines. The trigger date for the CVL transfer is based on a number of steps being completed and includes due diligence on a number of complex operational and contractual areas.

“Conversations continue between all parties, which will lead to the identification of the asset transfer date. It is also important that the transfer is done in a way which safeguards passenger and staff safety.”

One of the outstanding issues is that Network Rail and TfW have different ideas of how much it will cost to maintain and operate the CVL in the years to come. A portion of Network Rail’s budget is due to be switched to the Welsh Government to cover that cost.

However, the TfW spokesman said: “All parties are close to reaching final agreement on this matter. Rail industry partners continue to work collaboratively alongside government colleagues to undertake the necessary steps to ensure the transfer of CVL happens safely and in line with industry processes. The exciting transformation of the CVL includes a £738m investment, of which the transfer of the CVL is a key enabler.

“All partners are absolutely committed to ensuring that the transfer trigger happens at a time to allow the creation of the Metro in line with public commitments. The commitments will mean that by 2023, we will have created a transformed transport network that people can be truly proud of.”

TWO movie fans carried a lifesize model of a lion to the top of a South Wales mountain – to recreate their favourite scene from Disney’s Lion King. It was carried up the 2,000ft Sugar Loaf mountain above Abergavenny for sunrise so the two film fans could copy the shot. Steve Bancroft and friend Mark Taylor pushed the 40kg lion on a trolley as far as they could – then hauled it by hand to the top. Steve, 57, said: “We set off at 4.30am and reached the top by 5.55am – just in time for sunrise. “It was very steep at the top and although the lion wasn’t too heavy, it was an awkward shape. “We wanted to get there in time for sunrise so it could be like the Lion King scene.” In the original Disney movie Simba looks out from Pride Rock at his sprawling kingdom below. Steve said: “Obviously from a distance it would look very realistic but up close you can tell it is a prop. “Because we were there so early we only saw one person up the mountain – a woman who also arrived in time for sunrise. She was really impressed.” Steve owns the lion as part of his Events Prop Shop in Cwmbran. He said: “I always get asked by clients how the props look. Although they are usually used in hotels and parties I like to put them in striking locations as it can inspire people to see the setting more.” Steve Bancroft and Mark Taylor carried a lion prop up the Sugar Loaf mountain to recreate a scene from the Lion King