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£600m to deliver South Wales Metro by 2020 £600m to deliver South Wales Metro by 2020
(about 4 hours later)
About £600m is to be spent on a new metro for south east Wales within five years, BBC Wales understands.About £600m is to be spent on a new metro for south east Wales within five years, BBC Wales understands.
It is likely to be a mix of light rail, trams, improved trains and faster buses by 2020 in Cardiff and the valleys.It is likely to be a mix of light rail, trams, improved trains and faster buses by 2020 in Cardiff and the valleys.
It is in addition to planned rail electrification and will run as a "not-for-dividend" part of the next all-Wales rail franchise from 2018.It is in addition to planned rail electrification and will run as a "not-for-dividend" part of the next all-Wales rail franchise from 2018.
The economy minister will task rail and business experts to finalise plans before work starts in 2017.The economy minister will task rail and business experts to finalise plans before work starts in 2017.
Edwina Hart envisages a partnership with private developers but operating for the minimum profit, with money being reinvested in the network, BBC Wales understands.Edwina Hart envisages a partnership with private developers but operating for the minimum profit, with money being reinvested in the network, BBC Wales understands.
The Welsh government has already committed £77m to a first phase, which includes a new station for Ebbw Vale.The Welsh government has already committed £77m to a first phase, which includes a new station for Ebbw Vale.
The funding for this second phase - a landmark for the new Cardiff Capital Region - will come from a mix of Welsh and UK government money and EU funding.The funding for this second phase - a landmark for the new Cardiff Capital Region - will come from a mix of Welsh and UK government money and EU funding.
Ministers want to spend money on making as big a difference to people's travel times, as quickly as possible.Ministers want to spend money on making as big a difference to people's travel times, as quickly as possible.
Eventually, it has been estimated the improvements for the whole region could cost £2bn.Eventually, it has been estimated the improvements for the whole region could cost £2bn.
A faster and integrated metro network - stretching across 10 council areas - has been looked at for the last three years.A faster and integrated metro network - stretching across 10 council areas - has been looked at for the last three years.
Various light rail links between Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay developments have also been suggested over the last 30 years but have not got off the drawing board.Various light rail links between Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay developments have also been suggested over the last 30 years but have not got off the drawing board.
Meanwhile, cities including Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham have forged ahead.Meanwhile, cities including Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham have forged ahead.
Chris Gibb, one of the newly-appointed advisers to the project, said the Welsh government had some challenging decisions to make.Chris Gibb, one of the newly-appointed advisers to the project, said the Welsh government had some challenging decisions to make.
"There are lots of choices and the Welsh government is taking an ambitious line on this and wants a great deal from it," said Mr Gibb, a former managing director of Arriva Trains Wales and Virgin Trains."There are lots of choices and the Welsh government is taking an ambitious line on this and wants a great deal from it," said Mr Gibb, a former managing director of Arriva Trains Wales and Virgin Trains.
Mr Gibb added: "Everybody wants faster journey times, higher quality services, improved reliability, less overcrowding and don't want to pay more if they can afford it - either through taxes or train fares. There's a balance to strike between what can be delivered and how technology can apply."Mr Gibb added: "Everybody wants faster journey times, higher quality services, improved reliability, less overcrowding and don't want to pay more if they can afford it - either through taxes or train fares. There's a balance to strike between what can be delivered and how technology can apply."
He said a tram-train hybrid - with both running on the same type of tracks - could be one of the answers and examples of urban networks such as the one in Lyons, France, need to be looked at.He said a tram-train hybrid - with both running on the same type of tracks - could be one of the answers and examples of urban networks such as the one in Lyons, France, need to be looked at.
Cardiff transport history
Mr Gibb also said new technologies could be a factor.Mr Gibb also said new technologies could be a factor.
"People can see limitations of the current system - you only have to catch a train between Cardiff Queen St and Cardiff Central to realise you're in a queue of trains determined by the signalling system," he said."People can see limitations of the current system - you only have to catch a train between Cardiff Queen St and Cardiff Central to realise you're in a queue of trains determined by the signalling system," he said.
"But rail signalling technology is moving on and in other parts of Europe trains can in effect run at slow speed, more or less bumper to bumper, in complete safety. There is technology out there we can use in Wales.""But rail signalling technology is moving on and in other parts of Europe trains can in effect run at slow speed, more or less bumper to bumper, in complete safety. There is technology out there we can use in Wales."
The other two advisers are insurance firm Admiral's chief operating officer David Stevens - who has been a supporter of the metro for years as thousands of his employees commute daily - and Andrew Haines, boss of the Civil Aviation Authority, who has a background in railways.The other two advisers are insurance firm Admiral's chief operating officer David Stevens - who has been a supporter of the metro for years as thousands of his employees commute daily - and Andrew Haines, boss of the Civil Aviation Authority, who has a background in railways.