tfw.wales
The J33 roundabout is where the old line from St Fagans went to Pontypridd via Creigiau, Efail Isaf, Tonteg. Luckily it's still with us (mostly) as it was once earmarked as new road to connect with Upper Boat/Power Station Hill. Probably the best way to connect Creigiau to the light rail link.
Looks like some kind of utility installation, maybe a gas pressure reduction station.
There's also the line via Rhiwsaeson that crosses at Creigau. Isn't the plan to use this for rail from Fairwater to Creigau? If you follow that you still have quite an extant route all the way to Llantrisant and the modern Pontyclun station. The route between Beddau and Tonteg is now lost under development (Llantwit Faerdre was built over in the late 80s)
I'm sure back in the 80's or 90's it was going to be a link to relieve pressure on J32 and it would follow the route of the railway, I can imagine the good people of Creigiau and Efail Isafe objected - I might be wrong, it was a long time ago!
They can’t follow the alignment of the former Fairwater to Cregiau line all the way due to the M4 blocking the way plus the Canada Lakes now being on the alignment - hence the need to create a short new link on land just north of the Services at J33 to the protected alignment of the north - south twin track line that went through Cregiau. Look on Google Maps and you will now see new houses being built and clearly the old north - south rail route is protected from development. My concern is about the link that has to be created north of the services.
Yes the plan for Cardiff Crossrail - of which we don't seem to have heard anything for quite a while - includes using the old "Common Branch" (Fairwater - Creigiau - Rhiwsaeson - Llantrisant) but as pointed out the Canada Lakes might require a short detour on to the old Barry Railway line south of Creigiau.
The planning work for the key central section between Cardiff Central and Bay is mentioned quite frequently, and I recall a consultation about the routing of the eastern section several months ago. It’s the western section which appears somewhat quiet.
Probably priorities as they have had enough on their plate modifying the present network including upgrading the Bay Line. Next priority must surely be connecting the Bay Line with Central which will involve the first bit of street running.
Possibly because the valleys are seen as more deprived than fairly affluent Cardiff, and thus it’s a better use of limited resources to prioritise improvements there, especially if they increase travel to work opportunities.
And if more commuters get the train instead of driving into Cardiff it should ease the traffic problems in the city.
Yes
Indeed, it's been quite common in the UK for "X is the busiest destination, we should improve transport to there", only for X to get busier as a result of the improved connections, whereas if investment had been ploughed into Y it might have encouraged economic growth there and taken the pressure off of X's infrastructure.
I don’t disagree but they don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Cardiff needs rail infrastructure investment and the costs would be relatively small.
That assumes there is an infinite pot of money. In real life of course, the money tree only delivers so much each year. So just like our own personal budgets, priorities have to be made.
It doesn’t sound like they even really have the money to do what they are already committed to!
Exactly, which is why some items have been deferred.
Average levels of deprivation are indeed higher in the Valleys, but in absolute terms there are also lots of deprived people in Cardiff.
The lack of an integrated bus service in the Valleys is a major problem - if you are in a village that doesn't have a railway station, then it's virtually impossible to get to and from Cardiff by public transport, especially evenings and weekends.
150s are used. Four bikes per train.
