(Title Image: Jeremy Segrott via Flickr under Creative Commons Licence CC-BY-2.0)
Network Rail has published a decarbonisation strategy (pdf) which will set out how the rail industry aims to become “net-zero” in terms of carbon emissions by 2050.
Under the proposals:
- The south Wales, Vale of Glamorgan, Maesteg and north Wales mainlines, as well as the Marches line, would be fully electrified.
- The west Wales local lines between Carmarthen and Milford Haven, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock would also be electrified.
- The Conwy Valley and Ebbw Vale line between Ebbw Vale and Newport would use “multi-mode” trains, with a focus on battery power.
- The Heart of Wales and Cambrian Coast lines could see hydrogen-powered trains introduced.
- The Borderlands Line between Wrexham and Bidston would be run using battery-powered trains.
The Valley Lines, Cardiff Bay branch line and Coryton/City Line in Cardiff haven’t been included as they’ve been transferred to Transport for Wales as part of the South Wales Metro.
The programme’s capital costs (for the entire UK) – including the cost of new trains – is estimated to be anything up to £47billion at 2020 prices.
