The Welsh Government has announced that £119m of European Union funding has been secured to progress phase two of the South Wales Metro scheme, with £78.4m of this package allocated to delivering upgrades in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

[aoa id=”1″]£23.7m of the funding announced today has been attributed to support the progress of the new rail depot at Taff’s Well, building on the almost £43m pledged to the project by the Welsh Government through Tuesday’s budget announcement. [/aoa]

The remaining £51.1m of the funding will allow work to commence on developing the Aberdare and Treherbert lines, which will see faster journeys and increased capacity on the Valleys lines.

Phase Two of the Metro project is set to be finished by 2023, with the Valleys lines benefitting from improved connectivity through more efficient journeys.

Commenting on the funding announcement Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation, said:

“This significant funding announcement now means that work can start on delivering on the aspiration to provide residents of RCT and the neighbouring Valleys with a vastly improved public transport service.

“£27.4m of the funding will be allocated to supporting improvements on the Treherbert line, including rail line upgrades and new platforms; whilst a further £23.7m will support the doubling of the track on the Aberdare line, in addition to new platforms, step-free access and waiting rooms at Aberdare station. This funding will also support an upgraded interchange at Abercynon, complementing the substantial investment that the Council has committed to improving the Park and Ride capacity in partnership with the Welsh Government.

“I am also pleased to see further funding committed to supporting the progression of the Taff’s Well depot, taking the guaranteed investment for this crucial scheme to £70.7m over the course of the next two years.”