His Majesty King Charles has officially opened the South Wales Metro Depot in Taff’s Well.
Home of the South Wales Metro, the £100 million depot provides more than 400 jobs and is where a fleet of 36 brand-new tram-trains will be stabled and maintained.
The opening of the depot and introduction of the first tram-trains next year will continue the transformation of transport across South Wales.
Transport for Wales is delivering the South Wales Metro, one of Wales’ biggest infrastructure projects. This includes electrifying more than 170km of railway, allowing for the introduction of electric trains on the South Wales Valley lines for the very first time last year.
The five-hectare site, which comprises of a brand-new train depot, stabling site for the 36 tram-trains and the Integrated Control Centre is now fully completed and open.
Recently dubbed the ‘Welsh Tube’, the project connects some of Europe’s most deprived communities to each other, to Cardiff and beyond, and aims to improve access to employment, leisure and health centres, boosting the economic potential of the South Wales Valleys.
King Charles met with staff at the depot and took a journey in the driver’s cab on one of the new tram-trains, with children from three local schools and community representatives invited to join the celebrations.
First Minister Eluned Morgan said:
“Improving transport across Wales is one of my top priorities – investing in high quality transport which is more reliable, more convenient and more enjoyable to use.
“We are already seeing the significant benefits of our investment in the South Wales Metro.
“Better services, brand-new trains and Pay-As-You-go ticketing have transformed travel for passengers.
“The opening of the Taffs Well Depot marks a major milestone in our £1bn investment to upgrade the Core Valley Lines.
“It’s part of the behind-the-scenes but essential infrastructure which will make a big difference to people in their daily lives, whether making it easier to go to work or training, or exploring the country on our fantastic rail network.”
James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said:
“It’s been a pleasure to host his Majesty, King Charles at Taff’s Well today and for him to tour our South Wales Metro Depot.
“With electrified railways, brand-new trains and a state-of-the-art depot, the South Wales Metro is transforming the way people travel in the region, and most importantly connecting people and communities to opportunities.
“We’re in the final stages of electrifying 170 km of track and have already introduced our first electric trains onto the network, alongside pay as you go ticketing for our customers.
“We’re excited to start introducing the brand-new tram-trains next year, as we continue to transform travel and attract people to use public transport.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our team and construction partners for their hard work to deliver the new depot.
“I’d especially like to thank the local community in Taff’s Well for their support and patience throughout the major construction project and for helping us name it locally as ‘The Walnut Tree’ Depot’.”
Vernon Everitt, Transport for Wales Chair, added:
“The South Wales Metro is transforming transport in the region and the opening of this depot signifies the beginning of a new chapter in Welsh public transport.
“Transport is an essential enabler of sustainable economic growth, higher productivity and access to homes, jobs, education, better health and opportunity for everyone.
“At its heart, transport is about tackling inequality in all its forms and the South Wales Metro will improve the lives of those living in the valleys and help provide a better future for generations to come.
“This £100 million facility that we open today, is, therefore, so much more than bricks, mortar and steel tracks. It is a cornerstone for better lives in South Wales and a catalyst for regeneration.
“Transport for Wales is delivering change and improvements in public transport across the whole of Wales and into the borders and our vision is to create one integrated network, bringing together rail, bus and active travel routes.”
