Abstract: The ability to influence the timing and scale of the Trunk Road network by transferring investment to public transport has been studied for the first time in a major study commissioned by the Welsh Office. The A470 is a Trunk road connecting the north and south coasts of Wales. North of Cardiff, it is congested in peak periods as commuters travel between Valley communities and the city, a travel market also served by the Valley Lines rail network operated by the Regional Railways business for BR. A previous study identified alternative road schemes which would relieve congestion at a cost of 50m at 1990 prices. The Secretary of State for Wales appointed JMP Consultants Ltd (with sub-consultants Transmark, DHV Burrow-Crocker Consulting and Veryard & Partners) to investigate options for improving public transport to provide traffic relief at lower cost than the highway improvements. The study was completed early in 1993. The paper will describe the public transport options considered, including heavy rail improvements, light rail introduction and guided bus opportunities. The relative cost-effectiveness of the options will be described, based on the comprehensive evaluation criteria required by the Welsh Office. The need for train protection equipment to exploit track-sharing by light and heavy rail will be discussed, as will the more general requirements for exploiting under-utilised railway corridors. The study acknowledges the influence of proposals and ambitions in the sub-region, including the development of Cardiff Bay, and commented on institutional and funding aspects. (A) This abstract only is published in the seminar proceedings. For the covering abstract see IRRD 863439.
Publication Year: 1993
Publication Date: 1993-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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