Strategic Rail Authority

More SRA Funding for Valley Lines
_______________________________________________________________

date 31 May 2002
source Strategic Rail Authority
type Press release

The SRA is providing £738,000 worth of Rail Passenger Partnership (RPP) funding for additional rolling stock on the high growth 'Valley Lines' services operated by Wales and Borders. The funding will provide for a locomotive hauled four carriage service on the Cardiff to Rhymney route, which in turn will enable rolling stock to be used elsewhere on the Valley Lines network to strengthen services.

Today's funding announcement follows on from the £575,000 funding award for rolling stock strengthening on Valley Lines announced by SRA Chairman Richard Bowker on a visit to Wales in January.

SRA Executive Director (Corporate Affairs), Chris Austin, said:
"Valley Lines has been a real success story in recent times, enjoying 25%
passenger growth in the last three years. In total, the SRA is now providing
£1.3million of RPP money to ensure it has the capacity to meet that demand,
and provide a good level of service to its customers. The continued popularity
of rail for commuting to the capital will make a valuable contribution to the
passenger growth targets highlighted in our Strategic Plan."

Notes to Editors
1. More details on the operational implications of the additional rolling stock
can be obtained from Wales and Borders Press Office on 07071 881278.
2. The Rail Passenger Partnership (RPP) scheme is designed to support
those schemes which, though deemed not commercially viable, aim to
promote transport integration and encourage modal shift from road to rail.
3. Across the network, around £54 million worth of RPP funding has been
approved, covering 53 schemes.

Railhub Archive ::: 2002-05-31 SRA-001