A Cardiff Capital Region Metro - Home | GOV.WALES · Environment and Sustainability p.21 Summary: A Liveable Capital City Region p.22 3.0 Metro Interventions Regeneration Overview

Report to the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport

A Cardiff Capital Region Metro:Impact Study:

Regeneration and The Metro

October 2013

Hirwaun

Treherbert Aberdare

MaestegTalbot Green

Pontyclun

Culverhouse Cross

Ely Mill

Cardiff Airport

Barry Porth TeigrPenarth

Sports VillageCardiff Bay

ChepstowLlanwern

Severn Tunnel Junction

Bridgend

Porth

Pontypridd Ystrad Mynach

Caerphilly

Cwmbran

Newport

Newbridge

Pontypool

Queen Street

Bargoed

Merthyr Tydfil

Abergavenny

Abertillery

Rhymney TredegarEbbw Vale Brynmawr

Blackwood

Cross Keys

Cardiff Gate

Heath

Cardiff Central

Porthcawl

Caerleon

PillBristol

Taffs Well

North West Cardiff

Abercynon

StMellons

Regeneration & the Metro

Transit Led Regeneration Opportunities

October 2013

Collaboration by design

This document has been prepared by:

on behalf of:

The Welsh Assembly Government(Department of the Economy, Science and Transport)

October 2013

Prepared by:

James Brown: Director Liam Hopkins: Development Planner

Powell Dobson UrbanistsCharterhouseLinks Business ParkSt MellonsCardiffCF3 0LT

[email protected]

Document Revision 5 (October 2013)

All plans within this document are:

Reproduced from Ordnance Survey with permission of the controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (C) Crown copyright.

Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution/civil proceedings.

Licence No 100054593

Old Market Square, Nottingham

The Metro

1.0 Introduction p.6

2.0 Regeneration Framework

Welsh Government Regeneration Policy p.9

Connectivity to Employment p.9

Twentyfirstcenturybusinesspractice p.10

Education,SkillsandYoungpeople p.10

ASustainablePopulation p.11

PlacemakingandTownCentreVitality p.11

HousingSupplyandDesign p.16

SustainingandPromotingTourism p.20

Health p.21

EnvironmentandSustainability p.21

Summary:ALiveableCapitalCityRegion p.22

3.0 Metro Interventions Regeneration Overview

Making Better Use of the Existing Network p.23

EbbwValetoNewport p.24

North West Corridor p.26

Relief line from Cardiff Central to Newport & Llanwern p.26

Rapid Transit Cardiff p.29

Rapid Transit in Newport p.29

NewporttoAbergavenny p.30

RegionalBusRapidTransit p.31

CardiffAirport p.34

InterchangeEnhancements p.34

4.0 Regeneration Opportunities

Central Cardiff and the Bay p.35

Contents Page

Introduction 01

Regeneration & The Metro 5

The Metro

North West Corridor p.38

BarryandSt.Athan p.41

Bridgend p.45

TheYstradMynachCorridor p.47

MerthyrTydfil p.50

EbbwVale p.55

CwmbranandPontypool p.59

Newport p.61

5.0 Conclusion and Recommendations p.65

6.0 Bibliography p.66

Introduction 01

Introduction

Regeneration is about making places more resil ient to change.

RegenerationactivityinSouthEastWalesinparticular,hasfocusedonaddressingproblemscausedbystructuraleconomicchangeandthesocietalandenvironmentalconsequencesofthisshift.

In the most successful projects, regeneration has addressed these legacy issues, whilst simultaneously equipping a place to operate effectively in a new context. The regeneration of Cardiff Bay is a good example of this kind of transformation.

The proposed Metro system is a strategic opportunity to address weaknesses in the Capital City Regionwhilstequippingitwiththeinfrastructurethatitneedstobecomeasuccessfultwenty-firstcenturycity-region.TheregenerationobjectiveoftheMetroistomaketheCapitalCityRegionamoresuccessfulandliveablecity.

TheMetroisauniqueprojectbecauseithasthepotentialtoenabletheregiontobecome:

• More economically prosperous;

• Less reliant on fossil fuels;

• Moresociallyequitable;

• Better connected and convenient;

• Ahighprofiletourismdestination;

• Arecognisableplacetoinvest;and

• Synonymous as a place with a high standard of living.

ThispapersetsouthowtheMetrocanmakeasubstantialcontributiontothefuturewellbeingof the Capital City Region so that the most populated part of Wales is recognised as one of the mostliveableandvariedconurbationsintheworld.

Section 2 provides a thematic explanation of how the Metro will respond to key regeneration themes, Section 3 provides an overview of the regeneration opportunities associated with the MetroandSection4exploreshowtheMetrowillrespondtotheuniqueopportunitiesofdifferentplaces throughout the Capital City Region.

1.0 Introduction


Introduction

Introduction 01

About the Global Liveability Report

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s liveabilityratingquantifiesthechallengesthatmightbepresentedtoanindividual'slifestylein140citiesworldwide.Eachcityisassignedascoreforover30qualitative and quantitative factors acrossfivebroadcategories:

• Stability

• Healthcare

• Culture and environment

• Education

• Infrastructure

The categories are compiled and weighted to provide an overall rating of 1–100,where1isconsideredintolerableand100isconsideredideal.In2013thefollowing cities were ranked as follows:

1. Melbourne

2. Vienna

3. Vancouver

4. Toronto

5. Calgary

6. Adelaide

7. Sydney

8. Helsinki

9. Perth

10.Auckland

Incidentally, eight of these cities have twentyfirstcenturytram/lightrailsystemsand two of the cities are currently planning such a system.

Section 02

Regeneration Framework

This section describes the impact of the Metro on key legacy issues and identif ies how the Metro wil l create a liveable Capital City Region.

The section explores this through the following key themes:

• Contributingtoexistingregenerationpriorities;

• Connectivitytoemployment(andconsequentlinkstopublichealth);

• Supporting21stcenturybusinesspractices;

• Impactofincreasedmobilityonyoungpeople;

• Redistributionofregionalpopulationpatterns;

• Placemaking and town centre vitality;

• Housing supply and design;

• Tourism and image; and

• WelshGovernmentvisionforasustainableWales.

2.0 A Liveable Capital City Region

Cardiff:a21stCenturyliveableCapitalCityRegion?



Section 02

2.1 Welsh Government Regeneration Policy

VibrantandViablePlaces(2013)setsoutanewnationalregenerationframeworkthatseekstoestablishamoreintegrated way of reversing economic, social and physical decline throughout Wales. In the framework an improved transportnetworkisidentifiedas“a key building block” of the new approach, since its “availability and accessibility influence where people live and work, their leisure options, and their opportunities to interact with friends family and the wider community” 1.

The Metro will increase connectivity throughout South East Wales and provide the infrastructure that is required to facilitatetheinvestmentnecessarytoenabletheCapitalCityRegionanditscommunitiestodevelop,transformandregenerate. It therefore has an integral role to perform in delivering wider national regeneration aspirations.

2.2 Connectivity to Employment

TheMetrowillimprovethefrequency,imageandgeographicreachofthepublictransportnetworkandincreasetheease with which people from throughout the region can access employment opportunities.

Removing Barriers to Employment.

Improvingpublictransportwillremoveoneofthekeybarrierstoemployment:pooraccessibility.Byimprovingconnectivitytoplacesthatcurrentlyreceivelimitedrailservices,theMetrowillbroadentherangeofjobsthatpeoplecan access and have a positive impact on economic activity levels in those settlements currently disconnected from theregion’spublictransportnetwork2.

Forexample,MerthyrTydfilandEbbwValecurrentlyreceivehalf-hourlyandhourlytrainservices.However,followingtheimplementationoftheproposedMetrointerventionsbothsettlementswillbenefitfromimprovedservicefrequency,whichwillprovideresidentswithincreasedtravelflexibilityandimproveddoor-to-doorjourneytimestoemploymentopportunitiesavailablenotonlyinCardiff,butinplaceslikeNewport,PontypriddandYstradMynach3.

InthisrespecttheMetrowillmeetthedemandforimprovedaccesstoeconomicopportunitiesbypublictransport,whichthereopeningoftheEbbwValelinein2008clearlydemonstratesexiststhroughouttheCapitalCityRegion4.

Crucially,theMetrowillalsohelptocreateanetworkofsustainableandprosperouscommunitiesthroughouttheCapitalCityRegionthroughunlockinglocaldevelopmentopportunitiesthatenablekeysettlementstobecomevibrantsub-regionalemploymenthubs.Forinstance,theMetrowillincreasetheviabilityofredevelopingdevelopmentsiteslikePentrebachandTheWorks,andhelptoprovidelocalemploymentopportunitiesthatareimmediatelyaccessibleto local people.

1VibrantandViablePlaces,2013,p.27

2 ResearchundertakenbyWelshGovernmentintothepotentialimpactofelectrifyingtheValleysLineNetworksuggeststhatsubjectto affordabilityelectrificationcouldallowresidentstoaccessmoreemploymentopportunitiesinthewidernetwork.WilltheVLEStrategyReducetheBarrierstoEmploymentfortheEconomicallyInactiveLivinginthePoorestPartsoftheValleys?WelshGovernmentSocialResearch,2013,pp.51-52.

3 FollowingenhancementimprovementsMerthyrwillreceivefourtrainservicesperhour.EbbwValemeanwhilewillinitiallyreceivetwotrainsperhour,whichcouldbeextendedinthelongtermtothreeorfourservicesperhourdependingontheviabilityofundertakingthenecessaryengineering works.

4In2011676,000passengersusedtheEbbwValelineservice.Thisexceededestimatedpassengerusageby69%.ATWSETAUpdate(March2012).

Section 02


Thiswillbuildupontheworkoftheregion’sCommunitiesFirstClusterswhocollaboratewiththemostdisadvantagedanddeprivedcommunities,andhelptodelivertheTacklingPovertyActionPlan(2012),whichstatesthat,the“best route out of poverty is through employment” 5.

ToensurethatthelocallabourmarketisequippedtotakeadvantageoftheopportunitiesthattheMetrowillhelptodeliveritwillbenecessarytoengagewithallregenerationbodiestoidentifyhowtheMetrocanrespondtobespokeregenerationopportunities.Furtherworkaroundskillsandeducationwillbenecessarytoensurethatthepathwaystoemployment exist as well as the transport connections to economic activity.

2.3 Twenty First Century Business Practice

Just as the Metro will increase the ease with which people can access employment opportunities it will also help emergingentrepreneursandsmallandmediumsizedbusinessesbyprovidingtheconnectivitythatwillfacilitateagglomerativeeconomicactivityandmakeiteasiertodevelopandnurturebusinessrelationshipsacrosstheregion.

Connectivity and Innovation

Thelatterwillbeparticularlyhelpfulto‘startup’businessesandwillresponddirectlytotheincreasinglyflexiblewaythatentrepreneursareundertakingbusiness.Businessinthetwenty-firstcenturyislikelytobecomemoremobileanddisaggregatedandthespeedoftransportandfastInternetconnectionswillbecomecriticalpreconditionsforavibranteconomy.Inaneconomydefinedbytechnologicalinnovation,andwhereknowledgeandcreativethinkingareincreasinglyimportant,manyentrepreneursrequiretheflexibilitythatallowsthemtoseekoutandaccessbusinessopportunities.Inthissense,therollingstockoftheMetrohasthepotentialtobecomeaplacewherepeoplecanworkwhilsttheyaretravellingtotheofficeormeetings.

Flexible Working Patterns

InWalescompaniessuchasIndycuberepresentthechangingnatureofentrepreneurialpractice.IndycubeisaCommunityInterestCompanythatrentsoutflexibleofficespacetoentrepreneursandhomeworkerswhowantadaptableaccesstohighqualityofficefacilities,butalsothepeeradvice,supportandnetworkingandbusinessopportunitiesthatresultfromworkinginasharedenvironment.TodatethecompanyhasanetworkofofficesinCardiff,NewportandSwansea,butasaresultofdemandisintheprocessofimplementinganambitiousgrowthstrategythatwillresultintheopeningofafurther25officesoverthenext18monthsthroughoutSouthWales.

WhiletheMetrohaslittleopportunitytohelptherealisationofthisambitiousshort-termtarget,thelastingconnectivitythatitwilldeliverwillhelptosecurethelong-termfutureofcompaniessuchasIndycube,asentrepreneursseektogrow and expand.

IncreasedconnectivityandflexibilitywillalsocomplementpublicsectorledinitiativesliketheWelshCentreforInnovationExcellence.ThisisbasedinCaerphillyBusinessParkandwassetupin2012toprovideaflexibleandinventive facility for emerging entrepreneurs from throughout South East Wales to explore, test and develop their businessideasthroughcollaborationwithotherentrepreneurs.TheMetrowillincreasetheaccessibilityofthecentretoemergingentrepreneursandhelpthecentretofulfilitsambitiontocreateagrowingcommunityofentrepreneurs.

2.4 Education, Skil ls and Young People

TheimprovedconnectivitydeliveredbytheMetrowillmakeiteasierforprospectivestudentstoaccessfurthereducationandvocationaltrainingcentresthroughoutSouthEastWalesbypublictransport.Forexample,anew5 TacklingPovertyActionPlan,2012–2016,2012,p.3



Section 02

stationatGabalfawillincreasetheaccessibilityoftheCardiffMetropolitanLlandafcampustostudentsthroughouttheregion,whiletheextensionoftheAberdarerailwaylinetoHirwaunwillincreasetheconnectivityoflocalstudentstopost-16educationopportunitiesinColegMorgannwg’sAberdarecampus.Thisimprovedconnectivitythroughoutthe region will encourage more individuals to enter into further education and vocational training, which will have a positiveimpactontheskillandknowledgelevelsoftheregionallabourmarket.

Although increased access to education and training opportunities will have a positive impact on people of all ages, it willhaveaparticularlysignificantimpactonyoungpeople,andwillhelptoachieveWelshGovernment’saspirationforall young people to have access to a “comprehensive range of education and learning opportunities” 6.

Furthermore,theMetrowillcomplementanumberofpublicsectorledinitiativessuchasJobsGrowthWales,whichareseekingtoequipyoungpeoplewiththeskillsandexperiencetodevelopsuccessfulcareers.JobsGrowthWalesitselfwaslaunchedin2012toprovideunemployedyoungpeopleaged16-24,whoarejobreadybutwhohavestruggledtosecureemployment,withajobopportunityforsixmonths.AsaresultoftheMetrotheregionwillbebetterconnectedbypublictransport,andparticipantsoftheprogrammewillhaveaccesstoincreasedjobopportunities across a wider geographical area.

TheMetrowillalsoimprovegeneralqualityoflifeenjoyedbyyoungpeople,throughimprovingconnectivitytocultural, sporting and leisure attractions throughout the Capital City Region. Together with improved education and training opportunities, the latter are key components of Welsh Government’s seven core aims for young people 7.

2.5 A Sustainable Population

TheMetrowillhelptobuildsustainablecommunitieswherecitizenscanenjoyahighqualitylifestylesupportedbyconnectivitytolocalandregionalemployment,business,educationandleisureopportunities.Thiswillhelptoreverse the outward migration of young people from the region, and ensure that, instead of losing educated and skilledindividualstoeconomicopportunitieselsewhereintheUK,theCapitalCityRegionisviewedasafulfillingplace to live and work.

2.6 Placemaking and Town Centre Vitality

VibrantandViablePlacespromotesa“place-based approach” to regeneration, and advocates that through targeted investmentandimprovementstotowncentresitwillbepossibletocreatea“developmental hub” that will have a “wider economic impact as a place of employment, leisure activity and public services” 8. Town centres are therefore identifiedintheframeworkaskeyprioritiesforregenerationinvestment.

TheMetrowillhelptofacilitatethisapproachthroughoutSouthEastWalesbyestablishingnumeroustowncentresas the gateways to the regional transport network. This focus will stimulate footfall in each centre and potentially re-establishtheregionstowncentresashighlyconnectedplacesofemployment.Inmanyways,thisupgradeinconnectivitycouldmeanthattowncentres,insteadoflocationswithoutgoodaccessibility,becomethepreferredlocationsforinvestmentinnewjobs.TheMetrowillestablishplaceslikePontypridd,MerthyrTydfilandEbbwValetowncentresaskeyhubs,andencouragehigherfootfallwithinthesekindsofsettlements(aspeoplefromsurroundingareascommutethroughthecentretoaccessthewidernetwork),whichcanstimulateprivatesectorinvestment.

6http://wales.gov.uk/topics/childrenyoungpeople/rights/sevencoreaims/?lang=en

7http://wales.gov.uk/topics/childrenyoungpeople/rights/sevencoreaims/?lang=en

8VibrantandViablePlaces,p.20

Section 02


Maximising the regeneration potential of the Metro regarding town centre vitality will require any station improvementstobeverycarefullydesigned.Itisessentialthatthebriefforthedevelopmentorimprovementofstations incorporates some important principles and that these are considered at the inception of the project. These are:

• The spaces around the station are as important as the station itself;

• Theneedsofdifferenttransportmodesneedtobecarefullymanaged;

• Creating a strong sense of arrival is important;

• Stationsecurityneedstobeintegratedintotheoveralldesign,ratherthanbeconsideredasan‘addon’;

• Stationscanbeanchorsofmixedusedevelopmentsandthepotentialforinterventionsthatcouldbecomemorethanjustastationshouldbeconsideredattheoutset;

• Stations need to address changes in level carefully to ensure that they are effectively integrated into their surrounding townscape;

• Stations create opportunities to connect places either side of a railway track and cross line connectivity shouldbeasimportantascontrollingfareevasion;

• Station design needs to convey character of the region in a way which is integrated and meaningful, rather thansuperficialandtokenistic;

• Stationsshouldbeconsideredasthehubofotheractivitiesandthereforemorethanjustapieceoffunctional transport infrastructure; and

• Multi-disciplinarycollaborationisessential.Experiencefromothermajorinfrastructureprojectssuggeststhatmono-disciplinaryinterpretationoftheaboveprincipleswillnotresultinsuccessfulschemes.

Impact on Sense of Place

The implementation of Metro interventions provides the opportunity to enhance the sense of place of many of the regions town centres. For instance, an improved or new Metro station will create an opportunity to improve the sense ofarrivalandmayevenstimulatesufficientfootfalltocatalysedemandfornewhighdensitymixedusedevelopment.Bydesigningtheseplacestoreflectlocal,characterandheritagetheMetrocanbeknittedintothetowncentreandpromotetheregionsdistinctiveidentity.Thisprocesswillsubstantiallysupporttheneedtobroadentherangeofusesintowncentresbeyondretailbyincorporatingnewplacestowork,opportunitiesfortourismaswellasnewhomes.

In this respect the Metro will complement ongoing town centre regeneration initiatives such as the recommendations oftheBusinessRatesWalesReview:IncentivisingGrowth(2012)andBusinessImprovementDistricts9.

InordertoensurethattheMetrohasatransformationalimpactontowncentres,itsimplementationneedstobealignedascloselyaspossibletocurrenttowncentreregenerationinitiativesandtheworkoforganisationsliketheCentreforRegenerationExcellenceWales(CREW).ItisrecommendedthatCREWshouldbeakeyconsulteeduringfutureMetroworkstoensurethatallopportunitiesforcollaborationwithongoingtowncentreregenerationinitiativesareexplored.InteractionwithotherWelshGovernmentdepartmentsandLocalAuthoritieswillalsobeimportant.

9http://wales.gov.uk/topics/businessandeconomy/regeneration/business-improvement-districts/?lang=en



Section 02

TheentrancetoClaphamJunctionstationwhichcombinesan effective space in front of the main entrance that creates a meeting space as well as functional requirements for different modes of transport.

The new Reitlandpark railway station in a new district of Amsterdam demonstrateshowastationseparatedbyachangeoflevelcanbeintegratedintoitssurroundingurbancontext.

Initialdesignconcepttodemonstratehowatram/trainconnectiontoCardiffBaycanalsoovercomebarriersbetweenButetownanditssurroundings.ThisexampledemonstrateshowLoudenSquarecanbeintegratedintoboththeMetro,andthewiderarea.

Potential new development

Section 02


IllustrationwhichhighlightshowEbbwValeTheWorksStationmightlookandhowthisappearancehasbeeninformedbythepaletteofmaterialsthatarealreadyadoptedonotherpublicbuildingsonTheWorkssite.Thisimagesetsastrongprecedentforhownewstationsthroughoutthenetwork should deploy regional vernacular to emphasise sense of place and regional identity.



Section 02

Exampleofmixedusedevelopmentwhichbenefitsfromhighand constant footfall around a railway station.

High quality landscaping and planting at Kew Gardens station creates asenseofarrivalthatreflectsitslocation.

ProposalsfornewParistramstationwhichdemonstrateshowarangeofsimple,butcarefullycoordinateditemscangreatlycontributetotheimage of the Metro. It is recommended that a similar design exercise is carried out to coordinate the design of station elements. This will ensure that the appearance of the stations are coordinated and visually distinctive.

Section 02


10http://www.rcthomes.co.uk/main.cfm?type=PORTHCWLIS&object_id=2745andhttp://www.insidehousing.co.uk/finance/first-welsh-‘club’-bond-to-go-ahead/6527222.article

11PlanningPolicyWales,2012,p.53

12http://www.plan4sustainabletravel.org/key_themes/density/

2.7 Housing Supply and Design

TheimprovedregionalconnectivitydeliveredbytheMetrowillunlockopportunitiesfornewhousingdevelopment.Increasedconnectivitywillreducesomeofthebarrierstoviabilityonarangeofsitesthroughouttheregion.Thiswillhelptomeetlocalhousingneedandimprovethequalityofaccommodationavailablethroughouttheregion.Thelatter is particularly important within the context of the Capital City Region approach to economic development, since itwillensurethattheregion’shousingstockisofsufficientsizeandqualitytosupportalabourmarketwiththecriticalmass required to attract investment and deliver economic growth.

Affordable Housing

TheMetrowillalsohelptofacilitatethedeliveryofmoreaffordablehomesthroughoutSouthEastWalesbyhelpingtocreateanenvironmentthatmakesiteasierforHousingAssociationstobuildnewhomes.CurrentlyanumberofaffordabledevelopmentprogrammessuchastheRCTHomesledPothcwlisinitiativeandtheWelshHousingClubBonddemonstratethatRegisteredSocialLandlords(RSLs)arebeginningtoadoptamoreinnovativeapproachtodelivering development 10.

Improvedconnectivitywillincreasetherangeofsitesthatcanbeviablydeveloped,andmakeiteasierforRSLstofindsuitabledevelopmentpartners.ThiswillhelptoassistthegradualchangeinapproachofRSLstoenablingdevelopment,whichboththePothcwlisandWelshHousingClubBondprogrammesdemonstrateisstartingtotakeplace,andcontributetothecreationofthousandsofnewaffordablehomesthatwilladdresshousingneedthroughoutthe South East Wales region.

RSLswillbeakeydevelopmentpartnerinrealisingthisaim,sinceasaresultoftheUnderOccupancy(BedroomTax)RSLsareincreasinglyseekingtobuildsmallerunitsonsitesthatareconnectedbypublictransporttoemployment opportunities. Aside from this current Government policy and demographic changes suggest that there isalong-termtrendforthecreationofagreaternumberofsmallerhouseholds.Neitherthecurrenthousingsupplynor the approach of mainstream residential developers will meet this demand.

Inordertodevelopaco-ordinatedapproachtoimprovingtheinterfacebetweenlandusesandtransport,increasingdensities,facilitatingplacemakingandencouragingmoreSMEstoenterthemarketfurtherconsultationwillberequiredwith,LocalAuthorities,CREWandCommunityHousingCymru.Thelatterinparticularwillbeakeyimplementationpartner,sincethegrouprepresentsover70not-forprofithousingassociationsandisattheforefrontofimprovinginnovativesocialhousingpractice,astheirroleasco-ordinationsoftheWelshHousingClubBondprogramme demonstrates.

Metro Compliant Housing Density

Inaddition,whereMetroinfrastructureandnewdevelopmentopportunitiesarealignedtherewillbeanopportunitytodevelophigherdensityresidentialdevelopment.ThisapproachisinlinewithPlanningPolicyWales(2012),whichadvises, “higher density development, including residential development, should be encouraged near public transport nodes or near corridors well served by public transport” 11.PlanningforSustainableTraveladvocatesthatdependingonlocalcontextupto50-100dwellingsperhectarecanbeachievedinmanyareas,andeven“100-200 dwellings per hectare around important public transport interchanges” 12.



Section 02

WhilethelatterwillnotbeappropriatethroughouttheentireCardiffCityRegionitisrecommendedthatdensitiesadjacenttokeytransportinterchangesinthemoreurbanisedareasoftheregionshouldbemaximised.Furtherworkisrequiredtotesttheimpactuponsiteviabilityofpromotingsuchhighdensities,giventhatthehousebuildingindustryisgearedtowardsdevelopingsitesataround35-40dwellingsperhectare.

Thepromotionofhousetypesthataresuitedtocarbased,suburbandevelopmentsshouldnotdictatethelayoutofnewplacesthataredevelopedadjacenttotheMetronetwork.InareaswherenewplacesarebeingcreatedalongsideMetroinitiativesthentheseplacesneedtobedevelopedusingamixtureofhousetypesandarrangedinlayoutsthatpromoteaccessbywalking,cycling,theMetroandbus.Whilstcaraccesswillremainimportant(thispaperisnotadvocatingcarfreedevelopments)thekeysellingpointofnewhousingdevelopmentlocatedclosetoMetrostationswillbeMetroenabledconnectivity.Thisconnectivitycanbeunderminedbypoorqualityurbandesign.Wherenecessary/applicableLocalPlanningAuthoritiesshouldissueSupplementaryPlanningGuidancetoestablishabenchmarkforthekindofdevelopmentthatwillbesupportedadjacenttotheMetro,andconsequentlythekindthatwill not.

WheretheMetrodoesfacilitateresidentialdevelopment(specificallyhigherdensity)itwillbeimportantthatcleardesign principles are put in place to integrate new development into the transport network and crucially create asenseofplacethatreflectslocaldistinctivenessandoffersresidentsaplacetolivethatishumane,vibrantand stimulating. The proposed North West Corridor Metro intervention provides the ideal opportunity to test the recommendedprinciplesandapproach,sincethesurroundingarea(WaterhalltoTalbotGreen)hasbeenidentifiedasthepreferredlocationforinexcessof10,000newhomes.

Densitiesadjacenttokeytransportinterchangesinmoreurbanisedareasshouldbemaximised.

Section 02


Upton, Northhampton

Upton in Northampton marks a radical departurefromthetypicalcul-de-sacbasedsuburbandevelopmentwhichmightbeexpectedinalocationsuchasthis.

EnglishPartnershipsheldEnquirybyDesignworkshopsin1999and2001and created a masterplan and design code,controllingthequalityofurbanismand ensuring strict environmental and buildingdesignstandards.

Approximately1,200newresidenceswillbeprovidedinsuccessivephases.Phase1wasdevelopedbyPaulNewmanNewHomes,andthis3.7hectaresiteincludesjustover200homes(55dwellingsperhectare)withamixofhigherdensitytownhouses and apartments, as well as semi-detachedanddetachedhomes.

The second development area, developedbyCornhillEstatesandFaircloughHomesusesanumberofrenewabletechnologiesandwonthe prestigious Building Research Establishment(BRE)Eco-homesAwardin2007.WorkisunderwayonSiteDandatotalof600newhomeshavebeenbuilt.

Uptonischaracterisedbythedensityofunitsandpublicrealmdesignthatpromotes walking and cycling over the private car.

Uptonincludesablendandvarietyofarchitecturalstylesaswellaskindsoftenure.

Interesting mews streets link areas of open space. Largerfamilyhousingisdesignedtofitintoahighdensitylayoutandoverlookspublicopenspace.



Section 02

Staithes Southbank, Gateshead

Staithes, South Dunston was a collaborationbetweenHemmingwayDesign and George Wimpey Plc. This suburbandevelopmentconsistsof697housesandapartmentsand158havebeencompletedaspartofphaseone.Thedensityofdevelopmentis43dwellings per hectare.

Theschemeboastsaveryclearlogicalstreet layout which is very much geared to the pedestrian. Homes are arranged basedonagridwhichmakesiteasytonavigate and move around.

Car parking is arranged in a mixture of on street and parking courts and thepublicrealmhasbeendesignedbaseduponhomezoneprinciplestopromote active travel and humane environments.

PricelevelsatStaithsSouthbankare,in a national and regional context, affordable,pricesstartedatbelow£70,000andrisingto£225,000.Thewhole development is aimed at private buyersasGatesheadBoroughCouncilhas no social housing requirement due totheirconsiderableexistingstock.

Uptonischaracterisedbythedensityofunitsandpublicrealmdesignthatpromotes walking and cycling over the private car.

Uptonincludesablendandvarietyofarchitecturalstylesaswellaskindsoftenure.

Interesting mews streets link areas of open space.Largerfamilyhousingisdesignedtofitintoahighdensitylayoutandoverlookspublicopenspace.

Section 02


2.8 Sustaining and Promoting Regional Tourism

Tourism2020(2013)identifiesthattourismmakesamajorcontributiontotheWelsheconomy.However,italsostatesthatcompetitionisincreasing,anddestinationswillberequiredtostandoutthroughprovidingabespoketourismofferthatisfoundedonworld-classservice.Thestrategyacknowledgesthatthecurrentnationaltourismstrategyhas made “good progress in taking forward the priorities and actions identified”,butstatesthatmanyofthe“strategic challenges identified in (the current strategy) are still current” 13.

To respond to the strategic challenges and ensure that Wales’s tourism offer stands out on the international stage, the strategy proposes to set a new direction for tourism that will “grow tourism earning in Wales by at least 20% by 2020” 14. To achieve this the strategy advocates a policy of selective growth, which proposes to increase Wales’s share in the international and domestic market. Improving market share in the selected markets of Germany, US and Irelandisidentifiedasessentialtodeliveringthetarget.

Togrowtheshareofthedomesticandinternationaltourismmarkets,thestrategyidentifiesthatfocusedinvestmentwillberequiredtoimprovethequalityandrangeoftheWelshtourismoffer.Improvedaccessibilityisidentifiedinthe strategy as a focus for investment in its own right. The strategy states “it is important that we make it easier for visitors to get to and to move around Wales by car or public transport” 15.

Within this context the Metro is essential to the success of tourism within South East Wales and is integral to the ambitiontogrownationaltourismearningsby20%.SpecificallytheMetrowill‘openup’theSouthEastWalesregionsothatallofitsfeaturescanbeenjoyedinaconcentratedperiod-thecoast,acityandanationalparkallin48hours; improve the experience of visitors travelling to attractions throughout South East Wales; and transform the firstimpressionthatallvisitors(businessandleisure)getwhentheyarriveatkeytransportgatewayssuchasCardiffInternational Airport or Cardiff Central railway station.

Tourists are increasingly seeking out rich and distinctive experiences that are very much rooted in their locale and areidentifiablylinkedtocharacteristicsoftheplace,itsculture,historyandtraditions.TheMetroisanopportunitytoprovidevisitorswithmorethanjustawayofmovingbetweenattractionsbecauseitalsocreatespossibilitiestocommunicate what makes the region distinctive. In this context the Metro itself needs to take care to represent the regionthrough;thedesignofstationsandtheirsurroundings(section2.6),thebrandingoftheMetro,thequalityofother information targeted at visitors and integration with major regional events.

In‘openingup’theregion,greatcareshouldbetakentofocusnotonlyontheefficiencyofthetransportconnectionsbutalsoontheoverallexperienceofusingthenetworkandtheinformationthatthisconveystovisitorsaboutourregion.

ToensuretheMetrohelpstoimprovetheregionaltourismofferitwillbenecessarytointegrateCapitalRegionTourism and Visit Wales into future Metro planning stages. This will ensure that the Metro is equipped to respond to theneedsoftheregionaltourismofferandhelptofacilitatetheTourism2020FrameworkActionsPlans.

13Tourism2020,2013,p.2

14Tourism2020,p.5

15Tourism2020,p.17



Section 02

2.9 Health

OurHealthyFuture(2011)andTogetherforHealth(2012)arebasedonthepremisethatmostpolicyhassomeimpactonhealth.EstablishinghealthiercommunitiesisthereforeanintegralcomponentoftheholisticapproachtoregenerationadvocatedinVibrantandViablePlaces16.TheMetrowillcontributetoimprovinghealthlevelsthroughaddressingdeprivationbyincreasingconnectivitytoeconomicopportunitiesandeducationandtrainingopportunities,andimprovingthequalityofhousingandtheurbanenvironment.

The Metro will support the active travel agenda represented in the Active Travel Bill, which was laid in the National AssemblyforWalesinFebruary2013.OneofthekeyrequirementsoftheBillisforlocalauthoritiesto“continuously improve facilities and routes for pedestrians and cyclists” 17. The Metro will support this action through encouraging sustainabletraveltothenetworkbyprovidingappropriatecyclerentalandstoragefacilitiesthroughoutthenetwork.It will also act as the focal point for improving local pedestrian and cycle infrastructure through identifying areas whereinfrastructureupgradesshouldbeundertaken.Theprovisionofanewtram/trainstation,forexample,willincreasefootfallthroughtheareasleadingtoeachtransporthubandthereforeframerouteswherepedestrianandcycleinfrastructureupgradesshouldbeprioritised.

The Metro has the potential to encourage active travel.ExamplefromCopenhagenofintegrationbetweentransportmodes.

2.10 Environment and Sustainabil ity

SustainableDevelopmentisakeycomponentofWelshGovernment’sapproachtogovernance,andtheWhitePaperASustainableWalesBetterChoicesforaBetterFuture(2012)marksthenextstepinsettingoutaframeworktoenabletheintegrationofsustainabledevelopmentpracticeintoallaspectofgovernance.CurrentlyOneWales:OnePlanet(2009)setsoutWelshGovernment’svisionforasustainableWales.Inthevisionthepublictransportnetworkhasakeyroletoperform,providing“fast, reliable (and) affordable” connectivity between “major settlements”, and “frequent, reliable mass transit services within cities and more heavily urbanised regions” 18.

16VibrantandViablePlaces,p.29

17http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2013/Acttravbillintro/?lang=en

18OneWalesOnePlanet,2009,p.21

Section 02


WithinthiscontexttheMetrowillperformanessentialrolethroughprovidingalevelofconnectivitybetweenkeysettlementsandtheexpandingurbanhubsofCardiffandNewportthatdiscouragesuseoftheprivatecar.ImprovedlocalbusservicestokeyMetrointerchangeswillfurtherreducecardependency,aswillimprovementstopedestrianand cycle infrastructure supporting key stations, which the implementation of Metro stations for example, will provide an opportunity to address.

Thiswillcontributesignificantlytonationalcarbonreductiontargets,whichareseekingtoreducegreenhousegasemissionsby3%perannumandtoachieveatleasta40%reductionby2020comparedtoemissionlevelsin199019. However,itisrecommendedthatanindependentStrategicEnvironmentalAssessmentshouldbeundertakentoensurethattheMetrocomplieswithWelshGovernment’scommitmenttoembeddingsustainabledevelopmentintoallaspects of governance.

2.11 Summary: A Liveable Capital City Region

RegenerationhasbeenamainstreamactivityinSouthEastWalesforgenerations.Yetproblemspersistandinsomeplaces, tragically, continue to intensify. The fact that much of the Capital City Region continues to qualify for highest tierofEuropeanUnionfundingdemonstratesthatboldnewsolutionsarerequired.TheMetroisonesuchsolutionthatcanaddressinequalityonaregionalscalewhilstsupportingexistinglocalinitiativesthathavealreadybeenproven to succeed.

Problemsofthepastcannotbesolvedviaapalliativeprescriptiontoregenerationthatisretrospective.Turningbacktheclockisnotanoption.Itisnowessentialtointerveneinawaythatenablestheregiontocompeteproperlyinanewcontextthatisnowdominatedbymega-citiesandglobalisation.TheMetroisauniqueopportunitytophysicallyand thematically link together varied regeneration interventions that are otherwise poorly connected and is a way of tacklingneedbyexploitingopportunitiesonaregionalscale.ThishasnotexistedbeforeinSouthEastWales.

In summary, the Metro has the potential to transform the communities, settlements and economies of the Capital CityRegionby:

• Enablingtheregiontocompetenationally,continentallyandinternationallyforinvestmentbyrespondingtothe societal and economic changes;

• Removingbarrierstoemployment;

• Transformingperceptionsthathavepreviouslyinhibiteddevelopmentviability;

• Respondingtochangesinbusinesspracticethatrequiregreaterflexibility,collaborationandinnovation;

• Supportingthevitalityanddiversificationoflandusesintraditionaltowncentres;

• Reinforcing regional character, culture and identity through sensitive design;

• Supportingtourismbycelebratingregionaldistinctivenessandconnectingregionalvisitordestinations;

• ConsideringnewMetrostationsasimportantcivicbuildingsthatarekeypartsofthetowncentreenvironment;

• Stimulating the development of new places to live and work that are designed in development patterns that promotetheuseofpublictransport;and

19http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/climatechange/emissions/targets/?lang=en


Regeneration Overview

Section 03

3.0 Metro Interventions Regeneration Overview

This section identif ies the type of regeneration impact that each strategic Metro intervention could have on the Capital City Region.

3.1 Making Better Use of the Existing Network

New Railway stations

• NewrailwaystationsinplaceslikeCaerleonorAbertillerywillprovidecommunitiesthatare currently disconnected from rail services with access to the network and the economic opportunities located throughout it.

New and Reopened Railway lines

• New Metro lines will increase the connectivity of communities that are currently totally disconnectedfromtherailwayline.Forexample,thereopeningoftherailwaylinebetweenAberdareandHirwaunwillprovidethecommunityofHirwaunwithrailaccessandproviderural communities in Powys with a point of access into the Metro.

Service Enhancements

• Enhancements to service frequency will make it easier to travel throughout the rail network to access economic opportunities. This will have a particularly positive impact on places likeMerthyr,EbbwValeandMaesteg,whicharecurrentlyontheperipheryoftheregionandsubjecttopoorservicefrequency.

Park and Ride

• Strategic Park and Ride facilities throughout the network will encourage more people to use the rail network to access employment opportunities. This will reduce congestion on the highway network and help to achieve national green house gas emission targets.

Section 03


Map of the quick win Metro projects, which include new railway stations, park and ride facilities and service enhancements.

3.2 Ebbw Vale to Newport

• RailconnectivitybetweenNewportandEbbwValewillincreasevisitornumberstothecitycentreandencourageinvestment into the local economy that will stimulate regeneration and growth.

• ImprovedservicefrequencytoEbbwValewillstimulatelocalregenerationinitiatives,complementtheEnterpriseZone designation and accelerate economic regeneration.

• ExtensionofrailwaylinefromLlanhillethtoAbertillerywillreconnectasignificantpopulationcurrentlydisconnected from the rail network.



Section 03

MetroInterventions:EbbwValetoNewportandAbergavennytoNewport.

Section 03


3.3 North West Corridor

• The interventions will complement the Cardiff Enterprise Zone and ensure that Cardiff continues to attract sustainedinvestmentthatsecuresitspositionastheregion’sprimaryeconomichub.

• Rail connectivity through North West Corridor will help to deliver residential development that is integral to maintaining Cardiff’s economic growth.

• NewservicesthroughBeddau,Llantrisant,TalbotGreen,CreigauandMorganstownwillintegratecommunitiescurrently disconnected from rail into the region’s rail network.

• Treforest and Taff’s Well industrial estates improved strategic location will result in increased investment that will stimulate their redevelopment.

• Lightrailwilladdresstheperceptionof‘disconnection’betweenCentralCardiffandtheBayandprovidetheopportunitytoimprovetheinterfacebetweenbothdestinationsandthetraditionallocalcommunities.

• LightrailwillhelptheBaytoestablishitselfasaninternationalbusinessdestination.

3.4 Relief Line from Cardiff Central to Newport and Llanwern

• ThelightraillinkbetweenCardiffandNewportwillreinforcetheimageofawell-connectedCityRegionandencourageinvestmentintobothcitiesthatwillhelptodelivercomplementaryeconomicgrowth.

• ThelightraillinkwillimprovetheaccessibilityofanumberofkeyemploymenthubslocatedbetweenCardiffandNewport(StMellons,Coedkernew,GlanLynetc)andincreasethelikelihoodoffurtherinvestmentintoeachofthesehubs.

• New services through Splott, Tremorfa, Pengam, Rumney St Mellons, West Newport Pillgwellny and East Newport will integrate communities currently disconnected from rail into the region’s rail network and provide the opportunity to undertake community regeneration initiatives.



Section 03

Metro Intervention: North West Corridor.

Section 03


Metro Intervention: Relief line from Cardiff Central to Newport and Llanwern.



Section 03

The Cardiff Metro network, including Bus Rapid Transit.

3.5 Rapid Transit in Cardiff• Rapidtransitservices(viaBusRapidTransitorlightrail)betweenthecitycentreandwestandeastCardiff

willcomplementimprovementstotheexistingrailnetworkandensurethattheseareasbenefitfromgoodconnectivity to economic opportunities located in the centre. The connections will also encourage investment intotheestablishedbusinessdestinationslocatedineacharea(CulverhouseCross,StMellonsandPontprennau).

3.6 Rapid Transit in Newport

• Arapidtransitservice(viaBusrapidTransitorlightrail)betweenNewportandCardiffwillcomplementtheproposedlightrailconnectionbetweenthetwocitiesandensurethatcommunitieslikeLlanrumneyorDuffryn,whichdonotbenefitfromaccesstotherailwayline,areservedbyastrategictransportconnectionthatprovidesaccess to the railway line and economic opportunities in Cardiff and Newport.

Section 03


The Newport Metro network, including Bus Rapid Transit.

3.7 Newport to Abergavenny

• NewrailwaystationsatSebastapolandMamhiladwillhelptostimulatelocaldevelopmentopportunities.

• AnewrailwaystationinCaerleonwillreconnectasignificantpopulationcurrentlydisconnectedfromtherailnetwork.

• TheprovisionofabusandrailinterchangetolinktheproposedregionalBusRapidTransits(refertointervention)totheAbergavennyrailwaylinewillassistintheongoingregenerationofPontypooltowncentre.

• TheparkandrideatPontypoolandNewInnstationwillprovideruralcommunitiesinMonmouthshirewithahubfrom which they can access the regional rail network.



Section 03

3.8 Regional Bus Rapid Transit

Mid Valleys (Pontypridd to Pontypool)

• Thetransitwillprovideanessentialwest-eastconnectionthroughthemidvalleysthatwillcomplementthenorth-southconnectivityprovidedbythekeyrailwaylinesandenablecommunitiesintheValleystotravelwestoreast(toaccesseconomicopportunities)withouthavingtotravelsouthtotransferinCardiff.

• ThetransitwillcomplementPontypridd’slocationontheperipheryoftheNorthWestCorridorandestablishthetownasakeyhubwithintheregionalnetwork.Thiswillhelpthetowntobecomeasignificantemployment,leisure and retail centre.

• ThetransitwillestablishmidCaerphillyvalleys(Nelson,YstradMynachandNewbridge)asakeytransportcorridor.Thiswillencouragecontinuedinvestment,whichwillhelpthecorridortobecomeastrongsub-regionalhub.

Heads of the Valleys (Aberdare to Abergavenny)

• Thetransitwillprovideawest-eastconnectionthatwillcomplementnorth-southtravelconnectivityprovidedbytherailwaylines,andprovideresidentsofthesecommunitieswithdirectaccesstoeconomicopportunitieslocated in the Heads of the Valleys corridor.

• The transit will have a particularly positive impact on Tredegar, which is currently disconnected from the railway linethroughconnectingthetowntoraillinksinEbbwVale,RhymneyandMerthyr.

• The transit will provide access to natural tourism opportunities in the Valleys Regional Park, Brecon Beacons Park(viaoneoftheHeadsoftheValleyssettlements)andMonmouthshire.

Blaenavon to Newport

• ThetransitwillconnectBlaenavontotherailwaylineandprovidedirectaccesstoNewport,bothofwhichwillhelp to complement ongoing regeneration initiatives.

• ThetransitwillintegrateBlaenavon’sheritagetourismattractionsintotheregionalpublictransportnetwork.

• CombinedwiththeMidValleystransittheinterventionwillestablishPontypoolasanessentialhubintheregionaltransit network. This will stimulate the town centre’s ongoing regeneration.

Bridgend to Porthcawl

• The transit will connect communities in west Bridgend and Porthcawl to the regional rail network.

• Porthcawl’simprovedconnectivitywillincreasethevisitornumberandinvestment,whichwillimprovethetourismeconomy and stimulate the town’s ongoing regeneration.

Section 03


Metro Interventions: Mid Valleys and Heads of the Valleys Bus Rapid Transit.



Section 03

Metro Intervention: Bridged to Porthcawl Bus Rapid Transit.

Section 03


3.9 Cardiff Airport

• A new railway station on the Vale of Glamorgan line, or alternatively a new rail connection will integrate the airportintotheCapitalCityRegionnetworkandprovidealevelofconnectivitythatenablestheairporttoevolveintoaninternationaltransportandbusinesshub.

3.10 Interchange Enhancements

• Interchangeenhancementsatkeystationsthroughouttherailnetworkwilllinktheregionalnetworktolocalbusservices and in some instances the Bus Rapid Transit services. Interchanges will provide the opportunity to create‘gateway’spacestoacentre,andshouldbesubjecttoastrongsetofdesignprinciplestoensurethattheycontributetothelocal‘senseofplace’.


Regeneration Opportunities

Section 04

4.0 Place Specific Opportunities

This section explores the regeneration opportuni-ties that wil l be facil itated by the Metro in a series of places throughout the Capital City Region. The im-pact that Metro wil l have on each place is identif ied through considering the proposed Metro interventions within the context of the unique local development op-portunities available.

4.1 Central Cardiff and the BayCentral Cardiff, the Bay and the Metro

Central Cardiff and the Bay are integral to the economic growth of the Capital City Region, and theMetroisintegraltofacilitatingandsustainingthearea’slong-termgrowththroughprovidingtheconnectivitytothewiderregion.Thiswillattractthelong-terminvestmentrequiredtoestablishCardiffCentralandtheBayasa‘world-class’tourismandbusinessdestination.

Metro Interventions

The following Metro Interventions will have an impact on Central Cardiff and the Bay:

• MakebetteruseofexistingnetworkfollowingtheValleysLinesElectrificationandtheCardiff Area Signalling and Renewal Project

• NorthWestCorridor:RapidTransit/Tram-trainlinefromCardiffBaytoRCT

• Relief Line from Cardiff Central to Newport and Llanwern

• Other Rapid Transit in Cardiff

• Interchange Enhancements

Regeneration Context

ThelocalregenerationcontextthattheMetroneedstobeconsideredwithinissummarisedbelow:

• TheBayisakeytourismassetbutrequiresa‘stepchange’toprogressintoasophisticatedcultural,tourismandbusinessdestination;

• Thebayiscurrentlyaccessiblebybusandrail,andhascyclingandpedestrianconnectionstothecitycentre,butitisperceivedas‘disconnected’;

• Theperceptionof‘disconnection’weakensCardiff’stourismandbusinessoffer,whichispartbasedonCardiffasawatersidecity–inrealitythereiscurrentlylittleconnectionwith the water from the city centre;

• Butetownisisolatedfromtheredevelopedareasofthebay,andthelocalcommunityfeelfragmentedfromtheinitialbenefitsoftheBay’sregeneration;

Section 04


Cardi� CentralStation

Cardi� Bay Station

Queen Street Station

Existing Rail LineExisting Rail Station

Water Bus Connection

Tourism/ Leisure

RegenerationIntervention

Existing Development Area

Local Development Site

Enterprise Zone

Strategic Metro Site

KEY

Primary Road Network

Cycle Route 8 (Ta� Trail)

Wales Coastal Path

Proposed Tram-Train

Potential Tram-TrainExtension

New Metro Station

Improved Connectivity

Cardi� CentralStation

Grangetown Station

Enterprise Zone-57ha-Finance, professional services-Creative industries-Grade A o�ce space

International Conference Centre & Arena

Regeneration & recon�guration

-Grade A o�ce-Creative industries-Residential

-Business-Industry-Warehousing

Grade A o�ce

Residential

To City Line & North West Corridor

Cardi� Bay

Proposed International Tourism Development

Cardi� InternationalSports Village

Millenium Centre

Spatial analysis of regeneration opportunities in Central Cardiff and Cardiff Bay.

• The designation of the Enterprise Zone around Cardiff Central station provides an opportunity to redesign thestationandsurroundingenvironmenttoimproveconnectivitytoButetownandtheBaybyarangeofsustainabletransportmodes;and

• RebuildingMomentumidentifiesadevelopmentvisiontodeliverfurthereconomicgrowthtotheBay;implementation of the vision will provide the opportunity to implement a series of design interventions that candeliveramoreinclusiveandvibrantenvironment.


Theregenerationopportunitiesassociatedwiththerecommendedinterventionsarevisualisedanddescribedbelow:



Section 04

20BackgroundTechnicalPaperNo1InitialSustainabilityAppraisalReport,AppendixB,BaselineInformationtotheCardiffLocalDevelopmentPlan,October2012,p.3

21GreenPaper,RebuildingMomentum,March2013,pp.16-17

Connectivity to Employment and Business Opportunities

• AlthoughCentralCardiffandtheBayareservicedbyfrequentbusservices,theproposedlightrailandlightraillinktotheexistingrailnetworkonRoverWaywillmaketravellingbetweenthecitycentre,theBayandthe wider south Cardiff area more convenient, and increase the ease with which residents throughout the southCardiffnetworkcanaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesinCentralCardiff,theBayandwider Capital City Region. This will have a particularly positive impact on economic activity levels in south Cardiff,whichhastraditionallybeenoneofthemosteconomicallydeprivedareas20.

Unlock Employment and Housing Opportunities

• ImplementationoftheproposedMetrointerventionstothewiderSouthEastWalespublictransportnetworkwillensurethattheCapitalCityRegionisservicedbyaskilled,knowledgeableandconnectedlabourforce.ThiswillbeviewedasakeystrengthbyprospectiveinvestorsandhelptoestablishCardiffasaninternationalbusinessdestination.TheincreasedconnectivityofthelabourmarketwillcomplementtheEnterpriseZonedesignationandhaveaparticularlypositiveimpactonambitionstoestablishaCentralBusinessDistrictaroundCardiffCentralstation.Deliveringthedistrictwilldevelop57haoflandthatwillcreatethousandsofjobsinthefinancialandprofessionalservicesandcreativeindustries,deliveringamajorboosttotheregionaleconomy.

• TheimprovedconnectivityprovidedbythelightrailwillhelptofacilitatetheinvestmentrequiredtodeliverthedevelopmentopportunitiespromotedinRebuildingMomentum.Implementationofthevisionpromotedin the document will provide an International Conference Centre and Indoor Arena, deliver approximately 7,000newdwellings(includingthoseintheconsentedPorthTeigrscheme)anddeliverthousandsofjobopportunities in the professional services and creative industries 21. In this respect, the Metro will perform an integralroleintransformingtheBayandreinvigoratingCardiff‘seconomicperformance.

Placemaking and Vitality

• TheimprovedconnectivitydeliveredbytheMetrothroughoutsouthCardiffwillincreaseeconomicactivitythroughout the area, which will in turn increase the expenditure that local people can afford to invest into theirlocalcommunities.ItwillalsoincreasevisitorstothecitycentreandtheBay.Combinedthiswillhaveapositiveimpactonallthevitalityofexistingsettlementsandcontributetotheirongoingregeneration.

• The proposed Metro interventions will deliver improved connectivity to communities in Butetown and Grangetownandwill‘reconnect’communitiesinTremorfa,SplottandAdamsdowntotherailwayline.ItisrecommendedthatadesignstrategyshouldbepreparedforeachphysicalMetrointervention(forexampleanewstation)toensurethateachinterventionreflectsandenhancesthelocalsenseofplace,respondstothevisionsetoutinRebuildingMomentumandcontributestotheongoingregenerationofeachcommunity.AnexampleofhowthiscouldbeachievedinSouthLoudenPlace,whereanewtramstationisproposedisillustratedonp13.

Tourism

• CardiffCityCounciliscurrentlyundertakingastudytoidentifytheactionsrequiredtoenabletheBaytomakea‘stepchange’andtransformitselfintoaninternationaltourismdestination.TheincreasedsophisticationofthepublictransportlinksdeliveredbetweenthecitycentreandtheBaybytheMetrowillhaveakeyroletoperforminattractingtheinvestmentand‘worldclass’developmentsrequiredtoenablethistransformation.

Section 04


22AlternativelyimprovedpublictransportconnectionstotheCardiffInternationalSportsVillagecouldbedeliveredthroughtheprovisionofabusservicefromabusandrailinterchangeatCoganrailwaystation.

• ThelightrailwillimproveconnectivitytotheBayfromkeypublictransporthubsinthecitycentre(CardiffCentralandQueenStreetstation).Improvedconnectivitythroughsuchmodesoftransportwillhelptoaddresstheissueof‘disconnection’betweentheBayandcitycentre,andprovideakeymarketingtoolforthecity’stourismstrategy.Itisrecommendedthatthelightrailandnewstationsshouldbeintegratedintotheredesign of Cardiff Central station and the wider environment so that they enhance the experience for visitors arriving in Cardiff.

• The integration of an improved water connection into the redesign of Cardiff Central station will immediately demonstrate to visitors that Cardiff is actually a waterside city. The provision of a service that takes visitors directlytotourismandleisurefacilitiesintheBaywillalsocreatetheopportunitytoprovidea‘unique’visitorexperience. Both will help to strengthen the city’s tourism offer.

• The proposed extension of the light rail from the Oval Basin provides the opportunity to connect the leisure tourismofferintheBaywiththeactivitiesbasedappealoftheCardiffInternationalSportsVillage.Thiswillenablevisitorstoaccessbothdestinationsinasingletrip,whichwillhelptodiversifyCardiff’stourismoffer22.

4.2 The North West Corridor

The North West Corridor and the Metro

In other areas of the region the Metro is a catalyst to stimulate development in challenged markets. However, in the NorthWestCorridorthereisagrowthagendathatisconstrainedbypoorconnectivityandlimitedcapacityonthehighway network. The Metro therefore has the potential to overcome strategic constraints and deliver investment thatwillcontributetotheeconomicgrowthofCardiff,RhonddaCynonTafandthewiderCapitalCityregion.

Metro Interventions

• MakebetteruseofexistingnetworkfollowingtheValleysLinesElectrificationandtheCardiffAreaSignallingand Renewal Project

• NorthWestCorridor:RapidTransit/Tram-trainlinefromCardiffBaytoRCT





• TheNorthWestCorridorisamajorgrowthzonewithinthesubregion,withapproximately10,000newhomes,20haofemploymentspaceandnewretailandcommunityfacilitiesproposed;

• InRhonddaCynonTaftheproposedgrowthisfocusedonTalbotGreen,Llantrisant,Beddau,LlantwitFadreand Church Village;

• InCardifftheproposedgrowthislocatedtothewestofPentrebane,northoftheM4Junction33andsouthofCreigau;

• PontypriddTownCentre(locatedinthenorthofthecorridor)isasubregionalretailcentrethatissubjecttoongoingpublicsectorinvestmenttoenableittoperformitsfunctionasregionallyimportantretailandservicecentre;



Section 04

• The University of South Wales has a strong presence within the corridor;

• The area is the location of the Royal Glamorgan, which is currently a regional important health facility; and

• Castell Coch and the Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans, which are regionally important tourist attractions, are located within the corridor.



*

*

*

-800 dwellings-Community & employment uses

Castell Coch

Llanharry

Pontyclun

Llanharan

Beddau

Llantrisant

Talbot Green

Hensol

Creigiau

Church Village

Ta�’s Well

Radyr

St. Fagans

Treforest Industrial Estate Station

Ta�’s Well Station

Treforest Station

Radyr Station

Rhondda Cynon Ta�County Borough Council

St. Fagans

2,000 dwellings

2,000 dwellings

750 dwellings

800 dwellings

Royal Glamorgan Hospital

500 dwellings

51.1ha of employment

350 dwellings

7,500 dwellings

Vale of Glamorgan Council

Treforest

Llanharan Station

Pontyclun Station

Pontypridd Station

Caerphilly County Borough Council

Cardi�City Council

Pontypridd

BRT to Abercynon & Ystrad Mynach

Existing Rail Line

Existing Rail Station


Tourism/ Leisure Regeneration Intervention

Potential Development Zone


Local Development Site Strategic Metro Site

Park & Ride

Proposed Tram-Train

Potential Tram-Train ExtensionNew Metro Station

Potential Metro Station

KEY

Local AuthorityBoundary

M4 Improved Local Bus ServiceNew Cylce Route

Cycle Route 8 (Ta� Trail)

Town Centre

Regional Bus Rapid Transit Integrated Bus & RailInterchange

*

N

Spatial analysis of regeneration opportunities in the North West Corridor.

Section 04



• ImprovementstoestablishedservicesandtheprovisionoftheproposedCreigauandBeddaurailwaylineswillimproveconnectivitybetweentheNorthWestCorridorandenablemorepeople(manyofwhicharecurrentlydisconnectedfromrailservices)toaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunitieslocatedinCentralCardiffviapublictransport.Thiswillhaveapositiveimpactoneconomicactivityandstrengthenlocaleconomieswithinthecorridor.However,itwillalsohaveapositiveimpactonCardiff’seconomyandenableittofulfilitsfunctionasthemaineconomicdriverwithintheCapitalCityRegion.SpecificallytheMetrowillencouragemoreindividualstocommuteintothecity,whichwillhelptoprovidethecriticalmassoflabourthat the city requires to maintain its economic growth, and will also increase the presence of higher value industries and employment opportunities within Cardiff.

• Connecting the proposed Beddau railway line to the London Paddington rail via Pontyclun railway station will provide the opportunity to run a circular service through the corridor. This will provide residents with a choice onhowtoaccessCardiff,andwillalsoincreaseaccessibilitytoeconomicopportunitieslocatedtothewestinBridgend and Swansea.

• The extension and connection of the Coryton line to the City line (via a pedestrian connection across the river Taff)willcomplementimprovedaccessibilitybetweencentralCardiffandthesurroundingNorthWestCorridorthroughimprovingwest-eastconnectivitywithinCardiff.Thiswillincreasetheeasewithwhichcommuterstravelling north and south on the City line can access existing major employment locations situated out of centralCardiffinareassuchasLlanishen(HMRCOffices)andtheHeath(UniversityofWalesHospital).


• TheproposednewrailconnectionswillimproveconnectivitytoandthereforeincreasetheviabilityofdevelopinganumberofprominentresidentialschemesinbothCardiffandRhonddaCynonTaf.TheCreigauline,forexample,willincreaseconnectivitythroughNorthWestCardiffwhereapproximately10,250dwellingshavebeenproposed.MeanwhiletheBeddaulinewillincreaseconnectivitybetweenPontyclunandBeddauwhere1,100dwellingsareallocated.DeliveringthesedwellingswillhelptoaddresslocalhousingneedandimprovethechoiceandqualityoflocalhousingavailableinbothCardiffandRhonddaCynonTaf.WithrespecttoCardiff,thedwellingswillalsomakeasignificantcontributiontoensuringthatCardiffwillbeabletoaccommodatetheprojectedpopulationgrowthandcontinuetofulfilitseconomicfunctionasacapitalcity.

• The extension of the Creigau line to the Beddau line will provide the opportunity to deliver further developmentalongtheproposednewrailcorridor(subjecttolocalenvironmentalconstraints).

• Delivering the proposed Creigau line will ensure that the Welsh Government owned land near junction 33 of theM4isconnectedtothewiderCapitalCityregionbyboththepublictransportandthenationalmotorwaynetwork.InparticularthelinewillconnectthesiteandtheM4directlytotheCardiffEnterpriseZone.Thisprovides an opportunity for the site to perform a supplementary function to the Enterprise Zone through accommodatingcomplementaryinvestmentthatcannotbeaccommodatedinthezoneitself.Itisthereforerecommendedthatamixtureofemploymentusesshouldbeconsideredforinclusionwithinthesouthoftheproposed development site.

• Improved connectivity and increased residential development throughout the corridor will increase the likelihoodofrenewedinvestmentintosignificantexistingemploymentcentres.ThestrategicMetrositesofTreforestandTaff’sWellIndustrialEstate,forexample,willbenefitfromheightenedinvestmentinterestduetotheirrailconnections,anditisrecommendedthatadevelopmentbriefisrequiredforthesitestoensurethatinvestmentcontributestotheirregeneration.Atthisstageitisenvisagedthatthebriefshouldpromoteamixofusesthatwillenabletheestatestoaccommodatecontemporaryemploymentpremises,andfacilitateimprovedconnectivitybetweentheregionalrailandhighwaynetwork.



Section 04

Placemaking and Town Centre Vitality

• TheimprovedeconomicactivitylevelsdeliveredthroughouttheNorthWestCorridorbytheMetrowillincreasetheexpenditurethatindividualsareabletoinvestintothelocaleconomy.Thiswillhaveapositiveimpactonthevitalityofallestablishedretailcentresadjacenttorailwaylines(Fairwater,Radyr,Taff’sWell,LlantrisantandTalbotGreen)butnotablyPontypriddTownCentre,whichwillbenefitfromthecombinationofimprovedrailconnectivityandtheBusRapidTransittoPontypool.ThiswillestablishPontypriddasakeyhubwithintheSouthEastWalesMetronetworkandwillincreasevisitstothetowncentre.Thiswillhelptodiversify and improve the retail economy, enhance the town centre’s sense of place and improve its potential toactassub-regionalemploymentcentre.

• The implementation of the interchange in Pontypridd Town Centre has the capacity to complement increased expenditure, through providing the opportunity to improve the design of Pontypridd railway station and its interface with the town centre. This will improve the quality of experience that visitors have when arriving in Pontypridd and encourage return visits.

• SimilarlytheprovisionofnewrailinfrastructureinBeddau,LlantrisantandTalbotGreenprovidestheopportunityfortheMetrotocreate‘gateway’spacestoeachcentrethatarebespoketothelocalareaandenhance each centre’s sense of place.

Tourism

• IncreasedconnectivitytoTaff’sWellprovidestheopportunitytoestablishitaspotentialtourismhubforaccessing the Taff Trail and exploring the southern Taff Valley that includes the regional tourism attraction ofCastellCoch.ToenableTaff’sWelltoperformthisfunctionitisrecommendedthatcyclerentalfacilitiesshouldbeprovidedintherailwaystationandthatthepedestrianandcyclelinkstothesurroundingenvironment,inparticulartotheTaffTrail,shouldbeimproved.Thelattercouldbefurtherexploredinthedevelopmentbriefrecommendedforthearea.

4.3 Barry and St.Athan

TheBarryandStAthanCorridorisanareaofsignificanteconomicopportunity.However,inordertofulfilthispotential it must attract economic investment, deliver effective regeneration and strengthen its tourism offer. The MetrocanhelptoaddressalloftheseissuesandestablishtheareaasanattractiveandvibranthubwithinthewiderCapital City Region.

Metro Interventions



• Cardiff Airport



Section 04


*

280 dwellings

88.5ha employment

77ha aerospace employment

7.8ha employment

Barry Island/Promenade

-500 dwellings-10ha employment

St. AthanEnterprise Zone

Cardi� AirportEnterprise Zone

250 dwellings

210 dwellings

730 dwellingsRhoose Station

Llantwit MajorStation

Barry Station

Barry Island Station

Barry Dock Station

CadoxtonStation

To Celtic Trail

To Ta� Trail

KEYLocal Development Site


Tourism / Leisure

Town Centre

Regeneration Intervention

Enterprise Zone

Integrated Bus and Rail Interchange

Improved Local BusServicePotential Private Shuttle ServiceProposed Park & Ride


Existing Rail Line



Proposed National Cycle Route

Wales Coastal Path

Potential Tram-Train

New Metro Station

Barry

Dinas Powys

Rhoose

Llantwit Major

St. Athans

*

Spatial analysis of regeneration opportunities in Barry and the wider Vale rail corridor.


• Cardiff Airport and St Athan are key economic drivers for the area and are designated as an Enterprise Zone for the aerospace and defence sectors;

• CardiffAirportissubjecttoongoinginvestmentanddesigninterventiontoenableittofulfilitspotentialasakey driver in the South East Wales economy;

• BarryWaterfrontisakeyregenerationzonethatissubjecttoongoinginvestment;

• BarryTownCentreisanestablishedretailcentrebutrequiresfurtherinvestmentandregeneration;

• AdesigninterventionisrequiredtoimproveconnectivitybetweenBarryWaterfrontandBarryTownCentre;

• BarryIslandisakeyregionaltourismdestinationthatiscurrentlysubjecttoongoingregenerationandinvestment; and

• ThewiderBarryareaiswellconnectedbyrailwithstationsatCadoxton,BarryDocks,BarryandBarryIsland.





Section 04

-2,000 dwellings-6,400 sqm retail space-Hotel-Primary school-Transport hub

7.8ha employment

Barry Island

Mixed Use-500 dwellings-10ha employment

210 dwellings

Cadoxton Station

Link to Cardi� Airport Barry Station

Barry Island Station

Barry Dock Station


Tourism / Leisure

Retail Centre

Existing Development AreaExisting Rail Line

Potential Tram-Train


Primary Road NetworkProposed National Cycle RouteCoastal Path

New Metro Station


Improved Local Bus Service

Focussed spatial analysis of regeneration opportunities in Barry.


• DuetocapacityconstraintsontheValeofGlamorganline,electrificationwillnotimproveservicetimesbetweentheBarryareaandCardiff.However,theprovisionofanintegratedbusandrailhubatBarryDocksthatprovideshighfrequencylocalbusserviceswillimprovetheeasewithwhichlocalpeoplecanaccesstherailway line and employment opportunities in Cardiff and eventually Cardiff Airport. This will have a positive impactonlocalemploymentlevels,andimprovethebusinessenvironment.


• Increased connectivity to Cardiff Airport will decrease journey times from the airport to Cardiff City Centre andbuildupontheCardiffAirportExpress,whichwaslaunchedinAugust21013.Thisisessentialtoattractprivatesectorinvestmentandtodiversifyandincreasethedestinationsthatcanbeaccessedfromtheairport.IncreasedconnectivitycanbeprovidedthroughtheprovisionofanewrailconnectionfromtheexistingValeofGlamorganlineoralternativelythroughtheprovisionofanew‘CardiffAirport’railwaystationon the existing Vale of Glamorgan railway line that provides passengers with a quick and easy transfer to the airport 23.Bothinterventionswillsignificantlyincreasetheaccessibilityoftheairportandcontribute(alongsidetheEnterpriseZoneincentives)tothecreationofincreasedemploymentopportunitiesintheairportitselfandonadjacentlandwhere77haofaerospacerelatedbusinessuseisproposed.Thiswouldhaveasignificantimpactonthelocaleconomy.

23TwoMetrointerventionshavebeenconsideredforaccessingCardiffAirporttoaccommodatefuturechangestothelayoutoftheairport.

Section 04


24AlthoughprovidingastationtoserviceStAthanisnotconsideredtobeashorttermoptionitcouldbeconsideredinthelongtermifdemand/land use dictates.

25Planningpermissionforafurther2,000dwellingshasalreadybeensecured.

• TheStAthanEnterpriseZoneislocatedapproximately1.5milesfromLlantwitMajorrailwaystation.Duetoconstraints on the existing line and the nature of the site no Metro intervention is proposed. However, it is proposedthataprivate‘shuttle’servicefromLlantwitMajorrailwaystationtothesitecouldbeimplementedasthelattermaturesintoabusinesscentressothatexistingandemergingemploymentopportunitiescanbeaccessedbyrail24.

• TheBarryWaterfrontregenerationareaiswellconnectedbyrailandtheprovisionofabusandrailinterchangeinBarryDockswillincreaseconnectivityoftheregenerationareaandbeakeymarketingtoolforattractingbuyersandfutureinvestmentthatwillenablethearea’songoingregeneration25.

• TheprovisionofabusandrailinterchangeatBarryDockswillalsoincreasetheconnectivityofthedevelopmentassetsallocatedwithinthewiderBarrysettlement.Deliveringthesesiteswillprovideupto700newdwellingsand18.8haofemploymentspace,whichwillfurtherstrengthenthelocaleconomy.


• The Metro will increase connectivity to key local and regional employment opportunities and help to unlock existing development assets. This will increase economic performance in the area and ensure that local people have more expenditure to invest in the local economy. This will in turn have a positive impact on the vitality of Barry Town Centre.

• ProvisionofabusandrailinterchangeatBarryDockswillincreasetransientuseofBarryTownCentre,whichwillincreasetheexpenditureretainedbythecentre.Inordertomaximiseuseofthecentreitisrecommendedthatawiderdesigninterventionshouldbeimplementedaroundtheinterchangetoimprovelinksbetweentherailwaylineandthetowncentre,andtoensurethattheinterchangeimprovesconnectivitybetweenthetowncentreandemergingBarryWatersideregenerationarea.TheinterventionwillenhancethedesignqualityofthecentreandalsoensurethatitwillbenefitfromtheexpenditureofresidentsintheWaterside,bothofwhichwillcontributetoenhancingBarryTownCentre’s‘senseofplace’.

Tourism

• BarryIslandishighlyaccessiblebyrailfromCardiffandremainsaprominenttourismattractionintheValeofGlamorgan.TheIslandiscurrentlysubjecttoanongoingregenerationprogrammethatisseekingtodiversifythetourismofferprovidedbytheIsland.TheintegratedbusandrailinterchangeoperatingfromBarryDocksstationhasthecapacitytocontributetothediversificationprocessasitwillimproveconnectivitybetweenthetowncentreandBarryIsland,enablingvisitorstoeitherdestinationtoaccesstheother.

• The interface that the railway line has with the Wales Coastal Path and cycle routes is another key tourism assetfortheValeofGlamorgan.AllofBarry’srailwaystationsareeasilyaccessiblefromboththeCoastalPath and the proposed national cycle route, and the provision of appropriate facilities at these stations will helptoestablishBarryasakeyhubfromwhichtoexploretheSouthEastWalescoastlinebybikeandfoot.SuchanofferwillcomplementthetraditionaltourismofferbasedinBarryIslandandhelptodiversifythelocaltourism offer.



Section 04

4.4 Bridgend

Bridgend’s strategic location on the London Paddington line is a key strength for the local area, and is an integral partofitseconomicgrowthstrategy,whichisbasedonresidentsenjoyingconnectivitytoemploymentopportunitiesin Cardiff and Swansea. The Metro will provide increased connectivity that will help to implement the local growth strategy,butwillalsoincreasethelevelofinvestmentintothelocalareasothatBridgendbecomesasustainablesub-regionaleconomiccentre.

Metro Interventions


• Regional Bus Rapid Transit




• ThegrowthstrategyforBridgendisbasedonthesettlementoptimisingandpromotingitsstrategiclocationontheLondonPaddingtonrailwaylineanditssubsequentconnectivitytoemploymentopportunitiesinCardiffand Swansea;

• BridgendTownCentreisanestablishedretailcentrethatservesasignificanturbanpopulation,buttheretailoffer needs to improve and adapt in order to meet local demand;

• AlthoughBridgendTownCentrehasabusstationthatconnectsthetowncentretothewiderCountyBorough,connectivityandlegibilitytothetrainstationispooranddoesnotencourageintegrateduseofthepublictransportsystem;

• BridgendIndustrialEstateisasignificantexistingemploymentcentrethatislocatedadjacenttotheLondonPaddingtonandValeofGlamorganrailwaylines,butispoorlyservedbypublictransport;and

• Anumberofallocatedstrategicemployment,regenerationandresidentialopportunitiesexistwithinthewiderBridgendarea,butmostarecurrentlydisconnectedfromtheexistingrailnetworkandarebestaccessedbycar.



Section 04


*

284 dwellings41 dwellings

130 dwellings

11ha employment46ha employment

Bridgend Industrial Estate

-67ha-350 dwellings-Employment

-6.5ha-Mixed use residential & employment-140 dwellings

- 85ha-1,500 dwellings-Primary School-Commercial Centre

550 dwellings

150 dwellings

110 dwellings

Wildmill Station

Pencoed Station



Town Centre



Existing Rail Line



Park & Ride

M4

New Metro Station


*

Bridgend Station

Improved Local Bus Service

Regional Bus Rapid Transit

Bridgend

Pencoed

BracklaBRT to Porthcawl

Spatial analysis of regeneration opportunities in Bridgend.

26BridgendLocalDevelopmentPlan2006-2021,June2011,p.2


• ElectrificationoftheLondonPaddingtonline,improvementstoservicefrequencyandtheestablishmentofaBusRapidTransitinBridgendrailwaystationwhichservicesPorthcawlwillsignificantlyimproveconnectivitybetweenBridgend(notablyWestBridgendwhichiscurrentlydisconnectedfromtherailnetwork)andCardiffandSwansea.Thiswillimprovetheeasewithwhichresidentscanaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunities in the wider region and help to facilitate the local growth strategy 26.


• Theimprovementstojourneytimesandservicefrequency,combinedwiththeprovisionofanewstationatBracklawillincreasetheconnectivityofBridgendIndustrialEstate,whichisidentifiedinthecommercialanalysis as a strategic site within the context of a future Metro. Improved connectivity of the estate will increase the likelihood of future investment into the Estate, which will have a positive impact on the local economythroughcreatingnewemploymentopportunitiesandhelpingexistingbusinessestodevelop.



Section 04

• ThenewstationatBridgendCollegecombinedwithanimprovedlocalbusserviceoperatingfromtheinterchangeatBridgendrailwaystationwillincreasetheconnectivityofbothIslandFarmandBrocastleallocatedlocalstrategicemploymentsites.Developingthesesiteswilldeliver57haofemploymentuse,which will provide thousands of local employment opportunities and strengthen the local economy.

• Improvedlocalservicesfromthebusandrailinterchangewillalsoincreaseconnectivitytoanumberofkeyallocatedregenerationandresidentialsites.Combinedthesesiteswillprovidefurtherlocalemploymentopportunities, deliver 3,255 new dwellings and supply key community enterprise and education facilities. Delivering these proposals will improve the quality of life for local people through further diversifying the local economy, addressing local housing need targets and improving the choice and quality of local housing available.

Education and Skills

• The provision of a new railway station to service Bridgend College will increase the ease with which students throughout the wider County Borough can access further education and vocational training programmes. Thiswillenhancethequalityofthelocallabourmarket,whichwillencourageinvestmentintoBridgendandhelp to strengthen the local economy.


• Improved connectivity to local and regional employment opportunities will have positive impact on economic activity levels throughout Bridgend and the wider County Borough, which will increase the expenditure that individualsareabletoinvestintothelocaleconomy.Thiswillhaveapositiveimpactonthevitalityofallestablishedretailcentresadjacenttotherailwayline(MaestegandPencoed),butnotablyBridgendTownCentre,whichwillbenefitfromtheprovisionofthebusandrailinterchange.ThelatterwillestablishBridgendasakeyhubwithintheSouthEastWalesMetronetworkandwillincreasevisitstothetowncentre.Thiswillhelp to diversify and improve the retail economy and enhance the town centre’s sense of place.

• The implementation of the interchange itself also has the capacity to complement increased expenditure, through providing the opportunity to improve the design of Bridgend railway station and its interface with the town centre. This will improve the quality of experience that visitors have when arriving in Bridgend and encourage return visits.

4.5 The Ystrad Mynach Corridor

The Ystrad Mynach Corridor and the Metro

Ystrad Mynach is strategically located in the Mid Valleys, and as such faces different challenges to those settlements in the Coastal Corridor and the Heads of the Valleys. In recent years Ystrad Mynach and the wider corridor has attractedsignificantinvestmentfromboththepublicandprivatesector,buttheareanowneedstoensurethatitcontinuestoattractinvestmentsothatitcanbecomeakeysub-regionaleconomichubthatiscapableofsupportinglocalcommunities,includingthosebasedinthemoredeprivedHeadsoftheValleyssettlements.

Metro Intervention



Section 04




• Theareaisidentifiedasanareaofsignificantgrowth-86%ofCaerphillyCountyBoroughCouncil’semployment allocations are located in the Ystrad Mynach Corridor;

• OakdaleBusinessPark(oneofthelargestindustrialplateausinWales)islocatedintheareabutisinaccessiblebyrail;

• Thecorridorhasanumberofcomplementary‘urbanhubs’–YstradMynach(administrative,healthandeducation),Blackwood(retail)andNewbridge,NelsonandOakdale(employment);

• Ystrad Mynach is a particular area of growth and is the location of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s headquarters, a further education college and new hospital;

• ThecorridorisservicedbytheRhymneyandEbbwValerailwaylinewithconnectionsprovidedatNewbridgeandYstradMynach,HengoedandPengam);and,

• Blackwoodisakeyhublocatedinthecentreofthecorridor;itsnewbusstationprovidestheopportunitytoestablishitasakey‘connector’withinthecorridor.





Section 04

44.9ha employment

To Rhymney To Ebbw Vale

11.2ha employment

18.8ha employment

690 dwellings

173 dwellings

194 dwellings

143 dwellings

126 dwellings

137 dwellings

1.6ha employment13.3ha employment

90 dwellings Penallta Country Park

Ystrad MynachStation

Hengoed Station

Pengam Station

Bargoed Station

Brithdir Station

Newbridge Station

Llanhilleth Station

To Cardi�To Cardi�



Regeneration InterventionTourism / Leisure

Town CentreExistingDevelopment AreaExisting Rail LineExisting Rail Station



BRT to Pontypridd

BRT to Pontypool

Improved Local BusServiceImproved PedestrianLink

Integrated Bus &Rail Interchange

Local Bus InterchangeBargoed

Blackwood

Newbridge

Crumlin

Trelewis

Nelson

Ystrad Mynach

SpatialanalysisofregenerationopportunitiesintheYstradMynach/Nelsoncorridor.


• TheelectrificationoftheValleyLinesandcapacityimprovementswillincreasetheeasewithwhichlocalpeopleareabletoaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesinCardiffandotheremploymenthubsthroughout the region.

• TheBusRapidTransitwillreconnectasignificantpopulation(inNelson,BlackwoodandCrumlin)tothe railway line and employment opportunities in the local area and wider region. This will complement enhancementstotheexistingnetworkandcontributetoimprovingthestrengthofthelocaleconomy.


• Theimprovedconnectivitydeliveredthroughelectrificationandenhancementstocapacitywillhaveapositive impact on the ongoing development of Ystrad Mynach. Although the town is a key health, education andadministrativehub,commercialanalysissuggeststhatthetownandwidercorridorislocatedontheperiphery of the South East Wales private sector investment zone. The improved rail connectivity will help to secure the position of Ystrad Mynach and the wider corridor within the primary investment zone, and ensurethatsitessuchasDyffrynBusinessPark(where10.3haofemploymentspaceisallocated)orPenalltaColliery(where690dwellingsareallocated)receivetheinvestmentnecessarytocreatelocalemploymentopportunities and improve the provision and quality of local housing.

Section 04


• TheBusRapidTransitwillincreaseconnectivitytoTyDuBusinessParkwhere18.8haofemploymentusehasbeenallocated.ThelatterisintheownershipofWelshGovernmentanditsdevelopmentwilldeliverfurther employment opportunities that will strengthen the local economy.

• TheinclusionofBlackwoodBusStationwithintheBusRapidTransitbetweenPontypoolandPontypriddprovidesanopportunitytointegrateOakdaleBusinessParkintothepublictransportnetworkvialocalbusservices.OakdaleisdisconnectedfromtherailnetworkbutistheprimaryeconomicdriverinCaerphillyCountyBoroughandthelocationofafurther44.3haofemploymentlandallocations.TheintegrationofOakdaleintothenetworkwillhelptoattractfurtherinvestmenttotheparkwhichwillenableadditionaldevelopment and allow more people to access the existing and future employment opportunities.


• The Metro will increase connectivity to key local and regional employment opportunities and help to unlock existing development assets. This will increase economic performance in the area and ensure that local people have more expenditure to invest in the local economy. This will in turn have a positive impact on the vitality of all the town centres in the locality.

• TheBusRapidTransitoperatingbetweenPontypriddandPontypoolwillfurtherenhancethevitalityofYstradMynach,BlackwoodandNewbridge,aseachcentrewillbeakey‘connector’withinastrategictransportrouteandwillthereforebenefitfromincreasedvisitornumbersandexpenditure.

• TheprovisionofanimprovedlocalbusserviceoperatingfromtheBlackwoodbusstationthatinterfaceswiththeMetrobusandrailinterchangeswillcomplementtheimprovedeconomicactivitylevelsandhelpthetowncentretofulfilitsroleasthearea’sestablishedretailhub.

Improved Access to Services

• TheincreasedconnectivityaffordedbytheMetrowillensurethatthewiderlocalpopulation(includingthoselocatedintheHeadsoftheValleysRegenerationArea)benefitfromimprovedaccesstotheeducation,health,leisureandadministrativeservicesbasedinYstradMynach.CurrentlypedestrianandcycleconnectionsbetweenthesekeyservicesandtheproposedYstradMynachbusandrailinterchangearepoor,soimprovementswillberequiredtoensurethatthelocalpopulationviewstheMetroasaviablealternativetotravellingbycar.

4.6 Merthyr Tydfil

Merthyr Tydfil and the Metro

MerthyrTydfilisoneoftheprimarysettlementsintheHeadsoftheValleysregion.Althoughthetownhasbeensubjecttosignificantpublicsectorledregenerationinitiativesoverthepastdecadeitfacesongoingsocio-economicchallengeandstrugglestoattractsignificantprivatesectorinvestment.PartofthechallengefacingMerthyrisitslocationontheperipheryoftheCapitalCityRegionpublictransportnetwork.TheMetrohasthecapacitytohelpMerthyrtoovercomethischallengebyprovidingthetownwithalevelofconnectivitythatwillminimiseperceptionsofgeographic remoteness and attract investment that will assist its ongoing regeneration and transformation.

Metro Interventions




Section 04





• RailwaystationsarelocatedinMerthyrTownCentreandPentrebach,buttherailserviceisconsideredtoofferanunviabletransportoptiontoemploymentopportunitiesoutsideofthelocalarea;

• Therehasbeensignificantpublicsectorinvestmentinthearea,butprivatesectorinvestmentisdifficulttoattract due to Merthyr’s perceived geographic remoteness;

• PoorpedestrianpermeabilitybetweenMerthyrTownCentreandemploymentandleisuredevelopmenttothewesthaspreventedthetowncentrefrombenefittingfromnewdevelopment;

• Merthyrhasasignificantsupplyofbrownfielddevelopmentsites,buttheyappeardisconnectedfromMerthyrTownCentreanddifficulttoaccessbypublictransport;

• Pentrebachisaprominentexistingdevelopmentsitewhichhasthepotentialtobecomeanareaofstrategictransformation due to its direct access to the railway line; and

• BikeparkWales(locatedinGethinWoods)isanemergingnationalandinternationaltourismattraction,whichcouldbeaccessedfromPentrebachrailwaystation.


TheregenerationopportunitiesassociatedwiththeproposedMetrointerventionsarevisualisedanddescribedbelow:

Section 04


*

Cyfartha Castle

9.9ha employment

11.22ha employment

160 dwellings

260 dwellings

KEY

180 dwellings

125 dwellings

4.65ha employment

Existing Leisure Park

1.67ha employment

150 dwellings 24 dwellings

Bikepark Wales Gethin Woods

110 dwellings

60 dwellings

Community Health Park

131 dwellings

70 dwellings70 dwellings

Local DevelopmentSite


Tourism / Leisure

Town Centre



Park & Ride

Existing Rail Line

Existing Rail StationPrimary Road NetworkCycle Route 8 (Ta� Trail)

New Metro Station

Merthyr Station

Pentrebach Station

Integrated Bus andRail InterchangeImproved Local Bus ServiceImprovedPedestrian Link


*

BRT to Aberdare BRT to Ebbw Vale

Bikepark Wales Commercial Centre

To Cardi�

Merthyr Tyd�l

Pentrebach

Abercanaid

SpatialanalysisofregenerationopportunitiesinMerthyrTydfil.



Section 04


• According to the Merthyr Local Development Plan “insufficient public transport limits the ability and choice of the local labour force without access to a car to seek employment opportunities”.Giventhat26%ofMerthyr’sworking-agehouseholdsarewithoutacar(thehighestinWales)thecapacityimprovementstotheMerthyrlinetosupportfourtrainservicesperhourwillmakeasignificantcontributiontoaddressingconnectivityandimprovingaccesstoemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesinthewiderregion27. This will have a positive impact on local economic activity and will help Merthyr to address its standing as the most deprivedLocalAuthorityinWales(25%ofitsLSOAsareinthemost10%deprivedinWales)28.


• The improvements to connectivity will address Merthyr’s perceived geographic remoteness and increase thelikelihoodofprivatesectorinvestment.ThecommercialanalysisidentifiesPentrebachasastrategicMetro development site, and proposes that the Metro will provide the connectivity necessary to facilitate the deliveryofaresidentialledmixed-usescheme.Suchaschemewillcreateanexemplarsustainablemixed-useschemeintheHeadsoftheValleysthatwillhelptocontributetotheLocalDevelopmentPlan’saspirationtodeliver3,000dwellings,andprovideafreshopportunitytorevitaliseatraditionalemploymentareawhereoccupancy levels are poor 29.BetterlinkstoCardiffwillensurethatPentrebachcansupportarangeofemploymentsectors.Itisrecommendedthatadevelopmentbriefshouldbepreparedtosetoutavisionforthe site.

• The Metro will also help to deliver allocated development sites. Strategic sites such as Goat Mill Road offer theopportunitytodelivernewjobsandhouses,buttheirgeographiclocationandcurrentproximitytothepublictransportnetworkpreventedtheirdevelopmentevenduringthemoreprosperoustimes.Improvedrailconnectivity,theBusRapidTransitandanimprovedlocalbusserviceoperatingfromMerthyrwillhelpaddressthesetwofactorsandthereforeenhancetheviabilityofdevelopingprominentlocalsites.However,itisrecommendedthatimmediatefocusshouldbeontheredevelopmentofPentrebach,sinceitslocationontherailnetworkmeansthatitwilldelivershorter-terminvestmenttoMerthyr.


• ThestrategicregenerationofPentrebachwillhaveapositiveimpactonthevitalityofMerthyrTownCentre,sinceitwillincreasethenumberofresidentslivingincloseproximitytothecentre,whocanaccesstheretailopportunitiesandserviceslocatedinthetowncentreviaarangeofsustainabletransportmodes.

• Theprovisionofanintegratedbusandrailhubwithinthetowncentrewillhaveafurtherpositiveimpactontowncentrevitality,sincethebusservicesoperatingfromthehubwillcompletethepublictransportnetworkthatwillenableresidentstotravelfromtheirhomestoemploymentopportunitiesinCardiff.Asthetowncentrewillbethekey‘connector’withinthenetworkthenumberofvisitorstothecentrewillincrease,whichwill strengthen the retail offer.

27MerthyrLocalDevelopmentPlan,2006-2021,2011,p.16

28 WelshIndicesofMultipleDeprivation2011,SummaryReport,p.15.

29MerthyrTydfilLocalDevelopmentPlan,2011,p.50

Section 04


• TheintegratedhubwillalsoimprovetheinterfacebetweenthetowncentreandexistingdevelopmentssuchtheCyfarthaRetailParkandWelshGovernmentoffices.Thesedevelopmentsaresignificantsourcesofemploymentbuthavebeendesignedtoenableconvenientaccessbycarandthereforehaveapoorinterfacewiththetowncentre.Encouraginguseofthetowncentreonrouteorduringbreakswillfurtherenhancethe centre’s vitality. However, improvements to the pedestrian cycle infrastructure to encourage movement betweenthetwoareaswillberequired30.

• Inordertoestablishatrulyintegratedbusandrailhubitisproposedthataspartoftheongoingstrategyforthebusstation,MerthyrTydfilCountyBoroughCouncilmightconsiderrelocatingthebusstationtoCourtStreet,whichisadjacenttotheexistingrailwaystation.Fromthislocationthehubwillbenefitfromstrongconnectivitytotherailandthelocalhighwaynetwork,andwillalsoimprovelegibilitybetweentherailwaystationandprimarytowncentreretailarea,whichiscurrentlypoorduetoitslocationbehindtheTescosupermarket.

ROAD

CAEDRAW

THREE SALMON STREET

SWAN STREET

STREET

MASONIC STREET

HIG

H

BROAD STREET

STR

EE

TH

IGH

NEW CASTLE

WHEATSHEAF LANE

STREET

CASTLE

OFF

ICE

CHURCH

PO

ST

STR

EE

T

GLEBELANDSTREET

HIG

H

LAN

E

AVENU

ED

E C

LICH

Y

VICTORIA STREET

STREETJOHN

STREET

STREET

TREVITHICK

NO

RTH

LOW

ER TH

OM

AS STREET

STREET

TRAM

ROAD

COEDCAE'R

SIDE

ALMA

CR

OSS

TH

OM

AS S

TREE

T

Terrace

Davies

Cob

den

Plac

e

STREET

STREET

YEW

COURT

GILAR

STREET

CWRT

LOWER HIGH

UPPER

THO

MAS STR

EET

Tramroad Terrace

UN

ION

STREET

Library Lane

STREETCHURCH

JOHN STREET

TRAMRO

AD

NORTH

LOW

ER TH

OM

AS STREET

SIDE

Proposed New Bus Station/ Public Transport Interchange

Existing Bus Station

Merthyr High Street

Merthyr Rail Station

KEY

Bus station relocation

Existing rail line

Merthyr HIgh Street(Shopping area)

Enhanced access to busstation/rail station

Pedestrian access to rail station

Potentialrelocationofbusstationtocreateanintegratedbusandrailhub.

30MerthyrTydfilCountyBoroughCouncilareconsideringproposalstoredevelopthebusstation,howeverintheshort-termlightrepairworkswillbeundertakentothestationandkeyapproaches.Theproposedpermeabilityimprovementscouldbeincludedwithinanextendedprogrammeofworks.



Section 04

Tourism

• BikeParkWalesisthefirstfull-scalemountainbikeparkintheUKandwillenhanceWales’sworld-classmountainbikeoffer.Theparkwillhostworldchampionshipdownhillracing,butwillalsobeavailableforleisureusebyarangeofotherusersofdifferingabilities.Althoughthenatureofmountainbikingmeansthatmanyofthepark’svisitorswillarrivebycar,itisimportantthatthefacilitycanbeaccessedbypublictransport.ThelocationoftheparkintheGethinWoods,whichistothewestofPentrebachrailwaystationprovidesanidealopportunity,sincePentrebachrailwaystationinterfaceswiththeTaffTrail,whichinturnprovidesaccesstothepark’swelcomecentre.Itisthereforeproposedthatthelegibilityofthecycleroutebetweenthestationandtheparkshouldbeimproved,andappropriatemarketingundertakentopromotethedevelopmentsconnectivitytothepublictransportnetwork.

4.7 Ebbw Vale

Ebbw Vale and the Metro

EbbwVale’sconnectivityhasimprovedconsiderablythroughthereopeningoftheEbbwValerailwaylineandwillincreasefurtherwhenthelineisextendedtoTheWorksGeneralOfficesandconnectedtoEbbwValetowncentrethroughafunicularrailwayline.Yet,inspiteofthesechangesEbbwValewillremainontheperipheryofthepublictransportnetworkandresidentswillcontinuetoexperiencepoorconnectivitytothewiderregion.TheMetro will address this through providing enhancements that will make it easier for residents to travel to employment opportunities throughout the region, and also attract investment that will stimulate local development opportunities and regenerate the local economy.

Metro Interventions


• EbbwValetoNewportEnhancements





• EbbwVale’sconnectivitytothewidernetworkwillcontinuetoimprovethroughtheextensionoftheEbbwVale line to The Works and the construction of a funicular railway line;

• PrivatesectorinvestmentisdifficulttoattractduetoEbbwVale’sgeographiclocation;

• Connectivity to employment opportunities in Newport and Cardiff remains relatively poor;

• EbbwValetowncentreiscurrentlyunderperforming,butitslocationadjacenttoanewrailwaylineandtwostrategicdevelopmentzones(TheWorksandNorthernCorridor)provideakeyregenerationopportunity;

• Keydevelopmentsites(includingpartsofTheWorksandNorthernCorridorhavebeendesignatedaspartofthe Enterprise Zone; and

Section 04


• TheproposedCircuitofWalesdevelopmentsiteislocatedtothenorthofEbbwVale,andproposestodelivera£400millionmotorsportdestination.


TheregenerationopportunitiesassociatedwiththerecommendedMetrointerventionsarevisualisedanddescribedbelow:

82 dwellings

78 dwellings

25 dwellings

45 dwellings

69 dwellings

29 dwellings

47 dwellings

54 dwellingsBryn Bach Country Park

150 dwellings

-520 dwellings-18ha employment-Hospital-Business & energy centre

-805 dwellings-55ha of employment, leisure & commercial uses0.7ha employment

4.6ha employment

2.1ha employment

101 dwellings &leisure facilities

-60 dwellings-commercial use

Rassau Industrial Estate EZ

Proposed Circuit of Wales-Motorsport & leisure facilities-18ha employment use

Bryn Serth EZ

Rhyd y Blew EZ

Tredegar BusinessPark EZ

7.1ha employment

1.6ha employmentKEY

Local Development Site


Tourism / Leisure

Town Centre


Enterprise Zone (EZ)


Existing Rail Line



Proposed Rail Line

New Metro Station

Integrated Bus and Rail InterchangeImproved Local Bus Service


Ebbw Vale Station

BRT to Merthyr

BRT to Abergavenny

Tredegar

Dukestown

Rassau

Ebbw Vale

Nantyglo

Blaina

Brynmawr

SpatialanalysisofregenerationopportunitiesinEbbwVale.


• TheelectrificationoftheValleyLinesandthecapacityimprovementstosupporttwoandeventuallythreetofourtrainservicesperhourwillbuildupontheimprovedconnectivitydeliveredbythereopeningoftheEbbwValerailwaylineandincreasetheeasewithwhichlocalpeopleareabletoaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesinthewiderregion31.Furthermore,enablingaccessintoNewportenableresidentstoaccessanemploymentandretailmarketfromwhichtheyarecurrently‘disconnected’byrail.Combined,

31EbbwValewillinitiallyreceivetwotrainsperhour,whichcouldbeextendedinthelongtermtothreeorfourservicesperhourdependingontheviabilityofundertakingthenecessaryengineeringworks.



Section 04

this will have a positive impact on local economic activity and will help Blaenau Gwent to address its standing asthesecondmostdeprivedLocalAuthorityinWales(23.4%ofitsLSOAsareinthemost10%deprivedinWales)32.


• TheimprovedconnectivitydeliveredbytheMetrowillhelptoovercometheareasperceivedgeographicremotenessandassistdevelopmentoftheStrategicMetrositesidentifiedinthecommercialanalysis.TheWorks,inparticularwillbenefit,sinceitwillbedirectlyaccessibletwoandeventuallyfourtimesperhourbyrailservicesfromCardiffandNewportrailwaystations.AlthoughtheNorthernCorridorsiteswillnotbeconnectedtotherailwayline,theiraccessibilitywillalsobeimprovedthroughtheBusRapidTransitandlocalbusservicesoperatingfromthetowncentre.

• ImprovedaccesstobothofthesesiteswillcomplementtheEnterpriseZonedesignationsandhelptodeliver‘specialist’employmentopportunitiesinadvancedmanufacturing,whichwilldiversifythelocaleconomy.Itwillalsoincreasetheviabilityofdeliveringthe1,300dwellingsthathavebeenallocatedacrossthesites,whichwilladdresslocalhousingneedandbroadenthechoiceofhousingavailable.

• The Metro will also help to deliver development opportunities outside of the immediate vicinity of the strategic sites and the rail corridor. The Circuit of Wales, for example, is a prominent proposed development that hasthecapacitytotransformthelocaleconomythroughdelivering6,000jobsinmotorsportandautomotiveindustries.ItsinclusionwithintheSouthEastWalespublictransportnetworkwillbeakeymarketingtoolforthedevelopmentandwillhelpitfulfilitseconomicpotential.


• TheprovisionofthenewrailwaystationatTheWorksGeneralOfficesandthefunicularrailwaylineprovidesakeyopportunitytocontinuetheregenerationofEbbwValetowncentrethroughthecreationofanew‘gatewayspace’tothecentre.Theconceptofcreatinganintegratedbusandrailinterchangeatthislocationshouldbeconsidered,sinceitwillincreasethenumberofvisitorstothecentre,andthesubsequentincreasein expenditure will improve the retail offer and enhance the vitality of the town centre. The provision of thehubwillalsoprovidetheopportunitytoimplementthedesignprinciplesidentifiedintheregenerationframework,andencouragecompanieslikeIndycubetolocatewithinthespace.

• ThestationwillalsolinktheEbbwValelinetothewiderEbbwValeandHeadsoftheValleyarea.ThelatterwillhaveaparticularlypositiveimpactonvitalityofthenearbysettlementsofTredegarandBrynmawr,neitherofwhichcurrentlybenefitfromrailaccess.

Tourism

• TheMetrowillprovideEbbwValeandthesurroundingsettlementsofBrynmawrandTredegarwithalevelofconnectivitytothewiderCapitalCityRegionthatwillenablethesettlementstomarketthemselvesashubsfor exploring the Brecon Beacons National Park to the north and the Valleys Regional Park to the south.

• TheproposedCircuitofWaleshasthepotentialtobecomeaninternationaltourismdestination(itproposestoattract750,000visitorsperannum),andtheimprovedMetroconnectivitytoEbbwValewillhelpittomarket itself as such 33. However, the Metro will also help to integrate the circuit into the wider Capital City Region tourism offer and retain visitors to the circuit in the local and regional area. The Heads of the Valleys Bus Rapid Transit, for instance will provide access to traditional South Wales Valley communities and various ValleysRegionalattractionswhiletheraillinkswillprovidedirectaccesstotheurbanofferofCardiffandNewport.

32WelshIndicesofMultipleDeprivation2011,p.15.

33CircuitofWalesDesignandAccessStatement,2013,p.7

Section 04


4.8 Cwmbran and Pontypool

Cwmbran, Pontypool and the Metro

TorfaenisamicrocosmoftheCapitalCityRegion-thesouthattractsprivatesectorinvestmentwhilethenorthischaracterisedbyeconomicinactivityanddecline.ThesettlementsofCwmbranandPontypoolreflectthisspatialcontrast and the Metro will need to respond to the unique challenges facing each settlement so that it attracts continued investment to the area, whilst providing an opportunity to reconnect and transform communities that are currently fragmented from economic opportunities.

Metro Interventions

• Newport–Caerleon–Pontypool–AbergavennyCorridor




• CwmbranisconsideredthemaineconomicdriverforthewiderTorfaenarea,-anumberofadjacentdevelopmentsiteshavebeenallocatedasStrategicActionAreasforthispurpose;

• Cwmbranisservicedbyanewrailwaystationthatisincloseproximitytoanewbusstation;

• CwmbranShoppingisanestablishedretailcentrerelyingon‘convenience’andaccessibilitybycar;

• Pontypoolisviewedasakey‘connector’,linkingCwmbrantotheHeadsoftheValleysArea,butalsoconnecting Torfaen to the Mid Valleys;

• Pontypoolisnotdirectlyaccessiblebyrail–theneareststationisPontypoolandNewInnrailwaystationwhichislocatedapproximately1.5milestothesoutheastofthetowncentre;

• ThePontypoolretailofferhasbeenindeclineforanumberofyearsduetoitsgeographiclocationandhighway interventions;

• Sebastopol(locatedtothenorthofCwmbran)andMamhilad(locatedtothewestofPontypool)StrategicActionAreasareprominentlocaldevelopmentsitesthatareaccessiblebyrail(subjecttoprovisionofnewstation)andthenationalcyclenetwork;

• TheBritishStrategicActionAreaislocatedtothenortheastofPontypoolinAbersychanandisviewedasakey catalyst for the regeneration of the local Heads of the Valleys area;

• TheBreconandMonmouthshireCanalbisectstheareaandprovideslinkstonaturalandhistorictourismopportunities;





Section 04

*

115 dwellings

3ha employment

6.7ha employment

456 dwellings

-300 dwellings-4.8ha of employment & community uses-Hospital

250 dwellings

-1,200 dwellings-Community & education Facilities

-1,700 dwellings-Primary School-Community & leisure facilities

-200 dwellings-Employment-Community Facilities

-150 dwellings-11ha Mixed Use

-8.3ha of employment-6,800 sqm of food retail & leisure uses

135 dwellings

BRT to Ystrad Mynach & Pontypridd

BRT to Newport

BRT to Blaenavon

Cwmbran Station

Pontypool & New Inn Station



Wider Cwmbran Growth Zone


Town Centre

Existing Rail Line



Cycle Route 492

Park & Ride

Potential MetroStation

New Metro Station

*

Integrated Bus andRail Interchange

Improved Local BusService


BRT Hub

RegenerationIntervention

To Abergavenny

To Newport & Cardi�

Pontypool

Cwmbran

Mamhilad

SpatialanalysisofregenerationopportunitiesintheCwmbran/PontypoolCorridor.

Section 04



• TheelectrificationoftheValleyLinesandthecapacityimprovementswillincreasetheeasewithwhichlocalpeopleareabletoaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesinCardiff,Newportandotheremploymenthubsoutsideoftheregion.Thiswillhaveapositiveimpactonlocalemploymentlevels,andimprovethebusinessenvironment.


• Theimprovedconnectivitydeliveredthroughelectrificationandenhancementstocapacitywillhaveapositiveimpactontheongoingdevelopmentofthestrategicsitesidentifiedinthecommercialanalysis.BoththeSebastapolandMamhiladdevelopmentsitesarelocatedadjacenttotheAbergavennyrailwaylineandtheprovisionofnewstopsadjacenttobothsiteswillconnectthemdirectlytobothNewportandCardiff.Thiswillfurtherincreasetheviabilityofdeliveringthesitesandhelptoprovide2,900dwellingsandcommunityandeducation facilities.

• AsidefromtheidentifiedstrategicMetrosites,improvedconnectivitytotheexistingnetworkwillincreasetheviabilityofdevelopingthelocalstrategicsitesallocatedadjacenttoCwmbrantowncentre.Deliveringthesesiteswillprovideafurther1,156dwellings,5haofemploymentandretail,cultural,healthandcommunityuses,whichwillhelpCwmbrantofulfilitsroleastheprimaryeconomicdriverforthelocalarea.

• TheprovisionoftheBusRapidTransitbetweenBlaenavonandNewport(viaPontypoolandCwmbran)willincreasetheconnectivityoftheHeadsoftheValleysarea.Thiswillincreasethelong-termviabilityofdevelopingtheBritishStrategicActionArea,andimprovethelikelihoodofdelivering200newdwellingsandprovidemuchneededemploymentopportunities.However,itmustberecognisedthatthedevelopmentofthesitewillrequirealong-termprogrammethatwillbedependentonfullconnectivitytotheMetroandtheestablishmentofthewiderareaasaviableinvestmentprospecttotheprivatesector.


• The Metro will improve connectivity to regional employment opportunities and facilitate local employment and residential development opportunities. This will improve economic activity levels and ensure that a larger localpopulationwithincreaseddisposableincomeservicestheestablishedretailcentresofCwmbranandPontypool.

• ThedecliningstateofPontypooltowncentre’sretailofferanditsstrategiclocationwithinboththePontypoolto Pontypridd and Blaenavon to Newport Bus Rapid Transits means that the Metro will have a particularly significantimpactonthevitalityofPontypooltowncentre.Thetransitswillincreasevisitornumberstothetowncentreandincreasethelikelihoodofinvestment,whichwillhelptopreventfurtherdeclineandbegintoimprove the centre’s sense of place.

Tourism

• TheTorfaentourismstrategyisbasedonitsconnectivitytonaturaltourismopportunitiesinMonmouthshireand the Brecon Beacons National Park, and the Blaenavon World Heritage Site. The frequency enhancementswillimproveconnectivitytoAbergavenny,whiletheBusRapidTransitfromNewportwillimprove connectivity to Blaenavon and the Brecon Beacons National Park.

• Nationalcycleroutes49and492provideaccessibilitytoadjacentnaturalandheritageattractions.Thisisa distinctive element of the local tourism offer and is one that the Metro can complement through improving theinterfacebetweentherailnetworkandthecycleroutes.TheprovisionofbikerentalfacilitiesatCwmbranandPontypoolandNewInnStations,forexample,willestablishthestationsashubswithinacyclenetwork



Section 04

from which visitors can cycle or walk south to Newport or north to Blaenavon, the Brecon Beacons and Abergavenny.Thiswillhelptoincreasethestrengthofthelocaltourismofferanddiversifythelocaleconomy.

4.9 Newport

Newport and the Metro

Newportisstrategicallylocatedinthe‘gateway’corridortoSouthWalesandthereforehasacriticalroletoperformincontributingtothesuccessoftheCapitalCityRegion.AlthoughNewporthassignificantdevelopmentpotentialitiscurrentlystrugglingtoattractthescaleofinvestmentthatisrequiredforthecitytobecomeacomplementaryeconomicbasetoCardiff.Oneofthekeyinhibitorstothecity’sgrowthisitslimitedconnectivitytotherailnetwork-despiteitsvastrailnetworkthecityisonlyservedbyNewportstation.TheMetrowillthereforeprovidethecitywiththe connectivity required to attract investment, which will facilitate regeneration and economic growth, and integrate the city centre into the Capital City Region as a central economic centre.

Metro Intervention


• EbbwValetoNewportEnhancements

• Relief Line from Cardiff Central to Newport and Llanwern

• Rapid Transit in Newport

• NewporttoAbergavennyCorridor





• Newporthasasignificantexistingrailnetworkbutisonlyservedbyonerailwaystation(NewportStation);

• NewportCityCentreissubjecttoanongoingregenerationprogrammethatisaimingtoincreasethecentre’svitality through improving the leisure and retail provision, diversifying the mix of employment and residential uses and raising the quality of the environment;

• ThereisastrongemphasisonfocussingdevelopmentontheriverfronttoimprovetheinterfacebetweentheRiver Usk and city centre; and

• Significantvolumesofbrownfieldlandhavebenefittedfromsusbtantialinvestment,andotherbrownfieldsitesprovideconsiderableopportunityforfurtherregenerationanddevelopmentsurroundingNewportCityCentre.

Section 04


Spatial analysis of regeneration opportunities in Newport.




• ElectrificationoftheLondonPaddingtonlineandprovisionofthelightrailconnectiontoCardiffwillimproveconnectivitybetweenNewportandCardiff.Thiswillmakeiteasierforresidentsinbothcitiestoaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesintheother,aswellasenroute,inplaceslikeStMellonsandCelticSprings Business Park.

• The Metro will also improve Newport’s internal connectivity and ensure that residents living in the wider Newportareaareabletoaccessemploymentopportunitiesinthecityitself.Forexample,inadditiontoimprovingtheconnectivityofcommunitiesinBlaenauGwentandCaerphilly,theextensionoftheEbbwValeline into Newport station will also improve the connectivity of residents in North West Newport.



Section 04


• The new stations on the existing London Paddington line will provide direct access to Celtic Springs BusinessParkandCelticBusinessPark/GlanLyndevelopmentarea,andencouragefurtherinvestmentintoeachsite.SpecificallytheMetrowillhelptodeliverthe65haofemploymentspacethatisproposedforallocation in Celtic Business Park and will facilitate the ongoing redevelopment of Glan Lyn. A masterplan for 4,250residentialunits,40haofemploymentspaceandadistrictcentrehasbeenagreedforthelatter,andStModweniscurrentlyonsitedeliveringthefirstphase.TheMetrowillimprovetheconnectivityofthisnewdevelopmentandalsohelptounlock122haofproposedadjacentemploymentspace.

• The proposed southern rail link from the London Paddington line will provide the Whitehead Works, Monmouthshire Bank Sidings and Newport Docks with rail access. This will transform how these locally importantregenerationsitesareperceivedbythemarketandwillincreasethelikelihoodoffurtherdevelopment,whichisalreadyunderwayontheSidingswhereRedrowarecurrentlyconstructing575dwellings.Shouldtheremainingsitesbedeliveredanadditional221haofproposedemploymentspaceand400newdwellingswillbedelivered.Giventhatthisareaiscurrentlycharacterisedbypoorlyperformingemploymentuses,itisrecommendedthatanareawidedevelopmentframeworkbepreparedtoensurethatfutureinvestmentimprovestheexistingenvironmentandfacilitatesthegrowthofexistingbusinesses.

• The proposed eastern rail link from the London Paddington line will increase the connectivity of the Old TownDock/GeorgeStreet/PenmaenWharfregenerationareas.OldTownDockinparticularhasreceivedsignificantinvestmentoverthepastdecade,buttheMetrowillhelptoattracttheadditionalinvestmentrequiredtodeliverproposedallocationsfor32.75haofemploymentspaceand840dwellingsinthesurrounding areas.

Education and Skills

• The local and regional Metro interventions will increase the connectivity of the University of South Wales, Newport’s city centre campus to the wider Capital City region. This will encourage more young people to studyinNewport,whichwillenabletheuniversitytofurtherinvestinthecitycentre,increasethenumberofskilledandeducatedyoungpeopleenteringthelocallabourmarketandattractinvestmentthatdelivershigher value industries to the centre.

Health

• The eastern light rail link will provide direct rail access to the Royal Gwent Hospital, therefore making it more convenient for residents to access essential health services.

Tourism

• TheBusRapidTransitwillprovidedirectaccesstotheCelticManorResortfrombothCardiffandNewportCityCentres.ThiswillhelptodevelopwhatisanalreadyestablishedleisuredestinationandincreasethenumberofvisitorstoNewportandthewiderCapitalregion.

Placemaking and Vitality

• The proposed eastern rail link from the London Paddington line and the Bus Rapid Transit from Cardiff will providedirectaccessthroughcentralNewportandthePillgwenllyregenerationarea.Thelatterhasbeensubjecttosignificantinvestmentoverthepastdecadeandaregenerationframeworkwasadoptedin2009to integrate the area into surrounding development and growth areas, create new opportunities for people andbusinessesandimprovethesocialandphysicalenvironment.TheMetrohasthecapacitytosupportthedelivery of the framework through connecting Pillgwenlly to surrounding growth areas, therefore increasing the likelihood of investment and providing the opportunity to implement design projects that will improve

Section 04


thephysicalenvironment.ItisrecommendedthattheframeworkshouldbeamendedtoidentifyfocussedopportunitiesfortheMetrotocontributetotheongoingregenerationofPillgwenlly.

• Improved connectivity to local and regional employment opportunities will increase economic activity levels throughoutNewport,whichwillraisetheexpenditurethatindividualsareabletoinvestintothecitycentreeconomy.Itwillalsoincreasevisitorstothecitycentre.Combined,thiswillhelptoaddresssomeofthekeyregenerationchallengesfacingthecitycentreandrealisetheambitiousrenewalstrategysetoutintheNewport2020Masterplan.Specifically,increasedexpenditurewillhelptosupportnewleisureandentertainment facilities, address currently high retail vacancy rates, revitalise the Victorian retail area through encouraging a range of alternative uses and improve the centre’s physical environment.

• The eastern light rail link will improve the city centre’s interface with the rail network, which is currently poor duetotheB4591,whichseparatesthecitycentrefromNewportStation,andincreasethelikelihoodofattracting private sector investment into the city centre. This will improve the mix and quality of uses in the city centre and has the potential to improve the centre’s connectivity with the river. The link will also provide the opportunity to implement design interventions within the city centre which will improve the centre’s sense ofplace.ItisrecommendedthatadesignframeworkshouldbeproducedtoensuretheMetroiseffectivelyintegratedintothecitycentreandthewidervisionsetoutinNewport2020.


Conclusion

Section 05

5.0 Conclusion and RecommendationsThis paper demonstrates that the Metro has the capacity to help the Capital City Region becomeamoresuccessfulandliveablecity.However,itisequallyclearthatMetroinfrastructure alone will not facilitate transformation. Coordinated and sustained effort from a widevarietyofstakeholderswillberequiredtoensuretheregenerativeimpactoftheMetrocanbecaptured.

ToensurethatregenerationbecomesacornerstoneoftheMetrothefollowingkeyrecommendations are proposed:

• Developasetofguidelines,whichshouldbeappliedtothedevelopmentofabriefforanewMetrointerventiontoensurethatthewiderbenefitsarecaptured.Thiswillincludeguidanceondesign,permeability,scopingdevelopmentpotential,evaluatingviabilityofmixed use developments etc

• Identify(withsupportofstakeholders)apilotprojectwhichbringstogether:

1. Transport planning and engineering;

2. Placemaking;

3. Active travel and health;

4. Housing development;

5. Employment development;

6. Skills; and

7. Tourism.

This pilot project could take place in conjunction with one of the quick win Metro interventions

• Determinepotentialdevelopmentsitesthatwouldbenefitfromsomeformofsupplementary planning guidance that would help deliver Metro compliant developments.

• UndertakefurtherresearchtoidentifyprivateandnotforprofitsectorpartnersthatcouldprovideexpertiseandinvestmentforMetro-ledregenerationprojects.Thesemightinclude:

1. Developers;

2. Registered Social Landlords; and

3. Certain commercial operators.

• Work with CREW, Welsh Government and the Welsh Local Government Association (andotherrelevantstakeholders)todevelopmechanismswhichcouldworkalongsidefutureMetrodeliveryorganisationstoensureregionalcoordinationofMetro-ledregeneration to avoid duplication

Section 06

Bibliography

6.0 Bibliography

DocumentsBlaenauGwentCountyBoroughCouncil,LocalDevelopmentPlanupto2021,2012

BridgendCountyBoroughCouncil,LocalDevelopment Plan2006-2021,2013

CaerphillyCountyBorough,LocalDevelopmentPlanUpto2021,2010

CardiffCityCouncil,GreenPaper,RebuildingMomentum,2013

CardiffCityCouncil,PreferredStrategy,2006–2026,October2012

CardiffCityCouncil,BackgroundTechnicalPaperNo1InitialSustainabilityAppraisalReport,AppendixB,BaselineInformationtotheCardiffLocalDevelopmentPlan,October2012

Heads of the Valleys Development Company, Circuit of Wales Design and Access Statement, 2013

MerthyrTydfilCountyBoroughCouncil,LocalDevelopmentPlan2006-2021,2011

MonmouthsireCountyCouncil,LocalDevelopmentPlan,DepositPlanSeptember2011

NewportCityCouncil,LocalDevelopmentPlan,RevisedDeposit,June2013

RhonddaCynonTafCountyBoroughCouncil,LocalDevelopmentPlanupto2021,2011

TorfaenCountyBoroughCouncil,LocalDevelopmentPlan,DepositPlan,March2011

SEWTA,SEWTAUpdate,March2012

WelshGovernment,OneWalesOnePlanet,2009

WelshGovernment,Tourism2020,2013

WelshGovernment,VibrantandViablePlaces,2013

WelshGovernment,WelshIndicesofMultipleDeprivation2011,SummaryReport,2011

Welsh Government, Will the VLE Strategy Reduce the Barriers to Employment for the EconomicallyInactiveLivinginthePoorestPartsoftheValleys?WelshGovernmentSocialResearch,2013

Vale of Glamorgan Council, Vale of Glamorgan Local Development Plan, Deposit Plan, January 2012

Websiteshttp://wales.gov.uk/topics/childrenyoungpeople/rights/sevencoreaims

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/businessandeconomy

http://www.rcthomes.co.uk

http://www.insidehousing.co.uk

http://www.plan4sustainabletravel.org


Bibliography

Section 06

http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2013/Acttravbillintro

http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside

Study led by Mark Barry of M&G Barry Consulting and included Capita, Powell Dobson Urbanists, Jones Lang LaSalle and Steer Davies Gleave

www.metroconsortium.co.uk

Supporting documents:

• Appendices to Main Report• Metro Interventions Appraisal Report• Metro Modal Study• Metro Spatial Map• Station Design Guidelines (Ebbw Vale)• Metro Funding and Financing Independent Advice• Metro Economic Impacts