Green Party councillor Nathan Goldup‑John brought the motion to a full council meeting on 17 December, urging officers to investigate a tram‑train route running from Aberdulais or Tonna into Swansea — with scope for future extensions deeper into the valleys.
‘Time to re‑imagine the Neath corridor’
Cllr Goldup‑John said the region needed to think big about transport, describing the Neath corridor as a “green, connected spine for south west Wales”.
He argued that an electrified tram‑train system could cut car dependency and reduce emissions, while also unlocking regeneration opportunities along the route.
The proposal, he said, would dovetail with the wider Swansea Bay Metro vision, creating a fast, low‑carbon link between valley communities and the city.
He added that new Metro‑style stations could connect directly with local bus routes, giving residents across the county borough far better access to reliable public transport.
Cross‑party support – with one caveat
Labour’s Cllr Sonia Reynolds said her group supported the motion but stressed it must not undermine the council’s push for bus franchising, due to roll out by 2027.
Council leader Cllr Steve Hunt also backed the proposal, while reassuring members that buses remain a top transport priority.
What happens next?
Councillors voted unanimously to support the motion. Officers will now prepare a report for cabinet before the end of the financial year, including options for commissioning a full feasibility study.
If progressed, the scheme could form a major new strand of the Swansea Bay Metro – and potentially reconnect valley communities with Swansea by rail for the first time in generations.
