Rail line work to start in summer (From Barry And District News)

Rail line work to start in summer

WORK on the construction of a railway line from Barry Town to Bridgend, which will improve access to Cardiff International Airport, will begin this summer.

The scheme, which will receive funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, will see passenger trains running on the Vale of Glamorgan Line for the first time since 1964, when the Beeching cuts were made.

The Welsh Assembly Government is funding and managing the works on the line directly and has agreed £12m to pay for all capital works.

Network Rail will begin work on upgrading the line in June and it is anticipated that the new passenger service, to be operated by Arriva trains, will commence in spring 2005.

Additional signalling will be provided to increase the capacity of the route and the track will be upgraded to allow trains to travel at higher speeds than the present track permits.

Economic development and transport minister Andrew Davies described the scheme as an important step in the Welsh Assembly Government's drive to provide a sound and efficient transport infrastructure for Wales.

He said: "Rail transport is a good, sustainable form of travel, especially in areas where there is a lot of commuter traffic. The improvements will also help integrate the rail network with Cardiff International Airport. This is very good news for the Vale of Glamorgan and Wales as a whole."

Contracts are in place for the scheme, which includes the construction of new stations at Llantwit Major and Rhoose, for Cardiff International Airport.

Geraint Morgan, press officer for Arriva Trains Wales, said: "The hourly train service linking Bridgend with Cardiff via Llantwit Major and Rhoose will offer many new exciting journey opportunities for rail users in the Vale of Glamorgan. This announcement is very good news and we look forward to working with the Welsh Assembly Government and Network Rail to deliver what is expected to be a very popular rail service."

Jane Hutt said: "This is another important milestone toward the reopening of the Vale of Glamorgan Line on schedule next spring, and is fantastic news for the Vale."