The new depot at Taff’s Well for the South Wales Metro received royal seal approval on Friday, 14th November, when it was officially opened by His Majesty, King Charles III.
Thirty-six new tram-trains will be stabled and maintained at the depot, which cost £100 million to build, and provides jobs for over 400 staff.
They are due to start operation next year, and will transform transport across South Wales.
The South Wales Metro is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Wales, with over 170 km of railway lines to be electrified.
The site at Taff’s Well covers 5 hectares and includes an Integrated Control Centre, where over 50 staff manage signalling across the Core Valley Lines, a task that was originally managed from a control centre in Cardiff.
Despite torrential rain during his visit, King Charles met staff at the depot, and rode in the driver’s cab for a trip on one of the new tram-trains, whilst pupils from three local schools and community representatives joined the celebrations.
“It’s been a pleasure to host His Majesty, King Charles at Taff’s Well today and for him to tour our South Wales Metro Depot. With electrified railways, brand-new trains and a state-of-the-art depot, the South Wales Metro is transforming the way people travel in the region, and, most importantly, connecting people and communities to opportunities. We’re in the final stages of electrifying 170 km of track and have already introduced our first electric trains onto the network, alongside pay as you go ticketing for our customers.”
James Price, Transport for Wales CEO
“We’re excited to start introducing the brand-new tram-trains next year, as we continue to transform travel and attract people to use public transport. I d like to take this opportunity to thank all our team and construction partners for their hard work to deliver the new depot. I d especially like to thank the local community in Taff’s Well for their support and patience throughout the major construction project and for helping us name it locally as The Walnut Tree Depot .
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