R A I LT R AC K - The Railways Archive

Wales
We expect passenger
travel on the North
Wales Coast Line
to be transformed
by the introduction
of new rolling stock
and by an increase
in the maximum
speed to 90mph
118
10.3 continued 10.4
Level crossings
We will undertake renewals of selected level-crossing
equipment as part of a continuing programme to ensure safe
and reliable operation.
We have recently upgraded level crossings at Pwllheli
Goods,Sandilands and Llandre from open to automatic half-
barrier to improve safety for users.
We plan to convert Pencoed level crossing (near
Cardiff) to remote control using CCTV in 2002 and to
improve lighting at other crossings in South Wales controlled
by CCTV.
We plan to automate three level crossings in West
Wales by 2008:Kidwelly level crossing will be converted to
automatic half-barriers and Pembrey and Ferryside level
crossings to remote control with CCTV.
Telecommunications
We have a programme to renew signal-post telephone
systems in the Newport,Cardiff and Port Talbot areas
between 1999–2002 and at Machynlleth in 2001.
Stations and depots
We have completed provision of disabled access at Porth
this year, and we intend to install disabled access to Platform
3 at Cardiff Queen Street by 2000.
We will also renew the lifts at Cardiff Queen Street in
2000/01.We are undertaking major refurbishment at Cardiff
Central in 1999 which will enhance the station environment
and enable the station to handle the large numbers of
passengers attending events such as the Rugby World Cup at
the adjacent National Stadium of Wales.
Working with the Cardiff Railway Company, we intend
to renew and improve customer-information systems on the
Cardiff Valley Lines in 1999–2001. We will carry out further
renewals in West Wales in 2006/07.
On the North Wales Main Line, we are in discussion
with train operators about upgrading and renewing
customer-information systems.
10.4 Developing the network
Passenger
In the Cardiff Valleys,local authorities and the Cardiff Railway
Company are keen to provide greater capacity and better
journey times to offer an attractive alternative to road use.
We expect passenger travel on the North Wales Coast
Line to be tra n s fo rmed by the introduction of new rolling
stock by First North We s t e rn and V i rgin Tra i n s ,and by an
increase in the maximum speed from 75mph to 90mph
b e t ween Chester and Bangor to reduce journey times.
Links to Wales
We will strengthen links between Wales and London,
Manchester and other regions through shorter journey times
as well as improved performance and additional capacity to
accommodate growth in services.
The WCML upgrade over the next six years will deliver
increased capacity and reliability between London,
Birmingham and Crewe, along with infrastructure and
systems to support tilting trains travelling at speeds up to
140mph.This will enable Virgin Trains to offer more services
and shorter journey times to Wales progressing from 2002
onwards.The full new service will operate from 2005.
In our longer term plans, we are developing the scope
for infrastructure changes to improve the capacity of the
railway between Chester and Holyhead to allow more
frequent services.
Substantial renewal work on the signalling system
around the Shrewsbury area – at the gateway to the
Cambrian Line into Mid Wales – and the lines to Newport
and Wrexham will improve both reliability and flexibility at
this key node. Feasibility studies to evaluate all available
options are now in place and works will be complete within
the next three years.
On the Great Western Main Line, we will raise
linespeeds,and work is under way to ease congestion at
Reading and in the Sever n Tunnel to improve performance
and capacity.We have completed works to reduce flooding
in the Chipping Sodbur y Tunnel and we will undertake
further improvements.A half-hourly service between
London and Cardiff will be introduced in 2001.On the
GWML route we will increase the freight loading gauge.