New metro plans could see street trams return to Swansea

Transport for Wales have released details of their proposed Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro, and in addition to new stations and rail lines it could see the return of street trams to Swansea city centre.

The plans feature in a report published at the end of October from Transport for Wales that explain details of its new regional transport aspirations.

The plans propose new train stations at Cockett and Landore on the South Wales Mainline.

It also proposes new stations on the Swansea District Line at Llandarcy, Winch Wen, Morriston, Felindre and Pontlliw for Services between Swansea, Neath and Pontarddulais.

A more radical new tram-train route between Swansea and Neath is outlined that will include a significant alignment of street running in the city centre. The route will also make partial use of existing freight routes through Swansea Docks.

Potential new stations include High Street, College Street, Strand, Port Tennant, Langdon Road in SA1, University Bay Campus, Jersey Marine, Llandarcy, Neath Abbey and Neath Riverside.

A second route would see tram trains running between Llandarcy and Skewen along a section of restored railway.

If the plans come to fruition, it would be the first time trams have operated on Swansea streets since 1937.

Trams previously ran from High Street to destinations across the city, including Sketty, Cwmbwrla, Morriston and Port Tennant. These were subsequently converted to trolley-bus operation, before eventually being absorbed into the regular bus network.

The last trams on the Mumbles railway stopped in January 1960.

Trams have seen a resurgence in popularity in the UK in recent years, with new lines opening in the West Midlands in 1999, South London in 2000, Nottingham in 2004 and Edinburgh in 2014.

A new tram system in Coventry is currently under construction, and due to open in 2023.

Four light rapid transit lines with some on-street running are also proposed for Cardiff as part of the metro plans there, with routes stretching as far as Hirwaun.

Strategic Development Programme Manager at transport for Wales, Ben George said: “We are pleased to have developed a series of proposals which will significantly improve the opportunities for rail travel within and beyond South West Wales. We look forward to working closely with the Local Authorities and Swansea Bay City Deal as we begin to develop these improvements over coming years.”

Welsh Government Minister Lee Waters said: “Improving our public transport and active travel network routes is the right and responsible thing to do for the environment – making low carbon transport options more attractive, affordable, and easier to use – enabling people to leave their car at home particularly in the more densely populated parts of Wales linking up with active travel routes to provide door-to-door journeys in an integrated, sustainable transport network.”

(Lead image: Transport for Wales)