MS calls to ensure valley communities are not neglected in Swansea Bay Metro plans

MS Sioned Williams has called to ensure that rail and light rail transport options are fully explored to serve valleys communities in South West Wales as part of the Swansea Bay Metro project.

The vision of developing the Metro, could consist of re-opening railway lines, utilising light rail and buses. 

In 2017, as part of a budget agreement with Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Government subsequently agreed to fund a feasibility study into its development.

Sioned Williams stated:

“It is clear, by looking at the level of congestion and pollution in parts of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot that we need to significantly improve the public transport system locally. There is also a chronic lack of transport options serving our valley communities which means that people are often forced to use their cars as opposed to using public transport.

 “I have long argued for a metro in South West Wales of course, but we believe that the metro must include rail and light rail services to our valley communities and cannot just be centred on Swansea and other major towns.

 “Serious consideration must be given to the potential reintroduction of passenger rail or light rail services into the whole of the Swansea and Amman valleys. There are also gaps in terms of transport options into other valleys, such as the Dulais, Neath and Afan valleys.

 “We need a firm commitment that this will form part of the agenda over the next five years.

“Developing a Swansea Bay Metro without rail or light rail options into our valley communities would be a significant missed opportunity which could harm those communities economically.

 “We need to develop a truly integrated system which enables people across the whole of South West Wales to access high-quality public transport. The Western Valleys must not  be neglected.”