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Cardiff metro: Plan encourages people to 'leave cars at home' Cardiff metro: Plan encourages people to 'leave cars at home'
(about 3 hours later)
Plans for a regional metro transport system would encourage more people to leave their cars at home, says Cardiff council. Plans for a regional transport system aimed at encouraging more people to leave their cars at home have been backed by Cardiff's cabinet.
The project is aimed at improving transport links between Cardiff and south east Wales. The metro project is aimed at improving transport links between Cardiff and south east Wales.
The entire network, which could be built by 2030 and would involve trains, buses and trams, could cost £4bn.The entire network, which could be built by 2030 and would involve trains, buses and trams, could cost £4bn.
More than 77,000 people commute into Cardiff each day with a large majority travelling by road.More than 77,000 people commute into Cardiff each day with a large majority travelling by road.
The scheme, which is being discussed by Cardiff council on Friday, could see a transport corridor developed into Rhondda Cynon Taf. The scheme which was discussed by senior Cardiff councillors on Friday could see a transport corridor developed into Rhondda Cynon Taf.
Cardiff councillors are being asked to set up a task group to build a £220m regional transport network. The full council is to be asked to set up a task group to build the Cardiff elements of the network, estimated at £220m.
Proposals include reusing an old line from Fairwater to Creigiau and improving links to Llantrisant and Pontyclun. Initial estimates show that the first phase of improvements between Cardiff Bay and the city centre will cost £18m.
At the meeting, Cardiff's cabinet could also ratify a 3.97% council tax rise to help save £50m from the council budget. The second phase would cost £44m and involve work around Callaghan Square connecting to Cardiff Central railway station.
For the last two years the Metro Consortium, with members including some of the biggest businesses in south Wales, has been looking at how the city region can continue to develop into the future with improved transport and infrastructure at its heart. Reusing the disused City Line in Fairwater through to Creigiau and, with additional improvements, on to Rhondda Cynon Taf could cost a further £161m.
For the last two years the Metro Consortium, with members including some of the biggest businesses in south Wales, has been looking at how the city and the wider region can continue to develop into the future with improved transport and infrastructure at its heart.
It aims to improve access to the capital from the Merthyr, Rhymney. Gwent, Rhondda and Neath valleys, according to the report.It aims to improve access to the capital from the Merthyr, Rhymney. Gwent, Rhondda and Neath valleys, according to the report.
Cardiff council is currently considering a north western corridor into Rhondda Cynon Taf, and councillors are being asked to appoint a group to take plans forward, such as identifying funding.
The number of commuters could rise with a further 30,000 properties planned to be built in the city to meet expected growth.The number of commuters could rise with a further 30,000 properties planned to be built in the city to meet expected growth.
Councillor Graham Hinchey, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said the regional metro system was "forward thinking" and would address the needs of a growing capital city.Councillor Graham Hinchey, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said the regional metro system was "forward thinking" and would address the needs of a growing capital city.
"It is essential to make public transport an attractive option by reducing travel times, improving the infrastructure and increasing availability by providing additional services," he said."It is essential to make public transport an attractive option by reducing travel times, improving the infrastructure and increasing availability by providing additional services," he said.
"The new network looks to embrace electrification of existing networks, new technology such as tram-train and bus rapid transit, to make public transport attractive and a viable option for commuters.""The new network looks to embrace electrification of existing networks, new technology such as tram-train and bus rapid transit, to make public transport attractive and a viable option for commuters."
Council taxCouncil tax
Initial estimates show that the first phase of improvements between Cardiff Bay and the city centre will cost £18m. Meanwhile, at the same meeting on Friday, cabinet councillors also backed a report outlining a 3.97% council tax rise as the local authority looks to save around £50m from its budget.
The second phase would cost £44m and involve work around Callaghan Square connecting to Cardiff Central railway station.
Reusing the disused City Line in Fairwater through to Creigiau and, with additional improvements, on to Rhondda Cynon Taf could cost a further £161m.
Meanwhile, Cardiff council's cabinet is also considering a report which outlines a 3.97% council tax rise as the local authority looks to save around £50m from its budget.
The proposals include cutting the equivalent of around 600 jobs from its pay bill.The proposals include cutting the equivalent of around 600 jobs from its pay bill.
Almost a third, 190, would be through voluntary redundancy, with some 130 posts left unfilled while around 70 staff would be redeployed.Almost a third, 190, would be through voluntary redundancy, with some 130 posts left unfilled while around 70 staff would be redeployed.
A further 225 jobs are expected to be shaved off the wages bill by restructuring council services or finding alternative ways of providing services, say council officers.A further 225 jobs are expected to be shaved off the wages bill by restructuring council services or finding alternative ways of providing services, say council officers.
The proposals for staff also include reducing the working week from 37 hours to 36 hours and ceasing to pay professional subscriptions or relocation costs.The proposals for staff also include reducing the working week from 37 hours to 36 hours and ceasing to pay professional subscriptions or relocation costs.
Cardiff council faces a 2.9% reduction in its cash funding from the Welsh government.Cardiff council faces a 2.9% reduction in its cash funding from the Welsh government.
The authority's budget and plan to set up a metro task group will both be subject to a vote by the full council on Thursday 27 February.