Councillors to investigate Valleys plans
COUNCILLORS have agreed to look further into proposals to extend two railway lines in the Rhondda and Cynon valleys further north.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council agreed to send a notice of motion from Plaid Cymru councillors Geraint Davies and Karen Morgan, which calls for the line to Treherbert to be extended to Tynewydd and the line to Aberdare to be extended to Hirwaun, for further scrutiny.
The Plaid Cymru group said this was the right time to look at further railway network improvements amid the roll-out of the £738m South Wales Metro.
Councillor Davies, who represents Treherbert, said the north of the county borough had suffered for decades from the effects of deprivation and depopulation.
“It is important we use the opportunity that the metro provides to resolve these problems,” he said.
“The metro provides an opportunity to provide a significant boost to the top end of the Rhondda Fawr.”
Speaking about the Aberdare line extension proposal, Councillor Morgan said there was a huge potential for tourism in Hirwaun around the red flag, the ironworks, mining, and the environment for cycling and walking.
“It provides an opportunity for a major visitor offer but we are quite poorly served by public transport.
“Time and time again, residents’ expectations have been raised.
“Residents were disappointed that the approved metro system did not include Hirwaun,” he said.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, suggested that they send the proposal to a scrutiny committee, and that some of it be reworded without changing the substance of the motion.
He also said the council was looking at bringing a disused railway line between Llantrisant and Cardiff back into use, with an extension to Beddau.
A Transport for Wales spokesman said: “The plans that we’ve announced for the network are designed to be flexible and extendable.
“We’re aware of a number of potential options for further rail routes, including extensions of the core valley lines.
“None of these are current committed requirements at this stage. However, TfW and the Welsh Government will continue to consider options such as this as part of future development of the network.”