Progress in the Valleys?

A detailed and critical analysis of TfW Rail’s plans is needed, to look at the progress being made in the valleys and (in particular) to concentrate on why the people of the Rhymney Valley are being treated differently to those in the Rhondda, Cynon and Taff Valleys?

The tram trains to be used in the latter will be rather cramped narrower, with less space for prams and bikes, and with no toilet facilities. This is ridiculous and will definitely not encourage more people to travel by train.

TfW Rail has told me that it will provide toilets at stations, but that will cost a fortune to build, clean, maintain, repair and monitor. It’s also not very convenient after a night out and if travelling on the final service of the day. Surely it would be much better to have onboard toilets.

The vast majority of passengers have absolutely no idea what is in store for them. The plans also mean that they will no longer be able to have through trains to Penarth, Barry Island or Cardiff Airport. In addition, will they also lose the opportunity of purchasing through National Rail fares?

The only consultation carried out by the Welsh Government, prior to approving all this, did not ask relevant questions such as “would you prefer trains with or without toilets?” or “would you prefer to travel to Penarth, Barry Island or Cardiff Airport on through services or by changing trains in Cardiff?”

Is this because they had already made up their minds and were afraid of what the answers from passengers would be?

Tram trains have a role to play, but in this case they should be kept to existing or new lines, within the boundaries of Cardiff.

Existing plans will also mean poorer stock utilisation and discontinuous electrification, resulting in a network that is more expensive to operate by having to renew batteries every two or three years.

Jim Maggs, nr Port Talbot