Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro: Help shape the future of travel across the region

We're exploring ways to improve travel in Swansea Bay and West Wales.

We want to hear what you think before we take these plans further.

Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro is our long-term plan to improve public transport across the region. Transport for Wales (TfW) is developing it together with local councils, the Welsh Government and Network Rail.

Our aims are to:

• give more people easier access to train travel and connecting communities better
• make it easier to get to work, education, medical appointments and leisure opportunities
• better transport options across West Wales and beyond
• give people more ways to travel without using a car.

These proposals build on a detailed study carried out for the Welsh Government in 2021. We're looking at these changes in two parts (Phase A and Phase B). While neither stage has full funding yet, we’re keen to hear views to help shape our plans. This will mean they are more developed when funding is secured.

Funded by the Welsh Government, these proposals have been developed collaboratively by Transport for Wales, the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee, regional Local Authorities, Welsh Government and Network Rail.

The proposals reflect input from partners across the region and wider rail industry to help create a shared vision for improving transport connectivity across South West Wales.

Delivery of the proposals is subject to funding being secured from the UK Government.

Phase A: Swansea to Pembrey & Burry Port

Phase A is the more developed set of proposals.

What's proposed:

• Up to two extra trains per hour between Swansea and Pembrey & Burry Port
• A possible new station at Cockett
• A new platform at Swansea station
• Changes at Pembrey & Burry Port station so trains can change direction more easily
• More reliable journeys along this route.

Phase B: Swansea to Ammanford, via Neath

Phase B is at an earlier stage. More work is still needed before final decisions can be made.

What's proposed:

• Up to two new train services per hour between Swansea and Ammanford
• Possible new stations at Landore, Winsh-wen, Morriston, Llandarcy, Felindre, Pont-lliw and Ammanford
• New track linking two railway lines
• Other improvements to track and signals to support the new services

Why are we asking for your views?

We want to understand:

• how you currently travel around the area
• whether you'd use these new services
• which stations and improvements matter most to you
• how new stations should be designed and accessed
• anything else you think we should know.

Your feedback will directly inform how these plans are developed.

Drop in Events

As part of this engagement we will be holding public drop in events around the area over the coming weeks.

We'd love to see you at one of them!

• Swansea Railway Station: Tuesday,10 November 08:00 - 17:00
• Burry Port Railway Station: Monday, 16 November 08:00 - 11:00
• Burry Port Library: Monday, 16 November 12:00 - 15:00
• Llanelli Railway Station: Wednesday, 18 November 08:00 - 10:00
• Llanelli Canolfan Pentre Awel: Wednesday, 18 November 11:00 - 16:00
• Ammanford Library: Thursday, 19 November 10:00 - 14:00
• Neath Railway Station: Friday, 20 November 08:00 - 16:00
• Cockett Community Centre: Wednesday, 25 November 14:00 - 18:00
• Swansea Quadrant Shopping Centre: Thursday, 26 November 09:00 - 17:00

Frequently Asked Questions

We've put together answers to some of the questions we expect people may have about the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro. If you have a question that isn't covered here, you can get in touch using the contact details on our website, or come along to one of our public events.

About the Metro

What is the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro?

It's a long-term plan to improve public transport across South West Wales. The aim is to make it easier to travel between towns and villages, get to work, school or college, and reach local services. It's being developed by Transport for Wales, working with councils in Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, along with the Welsh Government and Network Rail.

What is this consultation about?

We want to hear your views on a set of proposals to improve rail services in the region. This includes more frequent trains, possible new stations, and improvements to existing stations. No final decisions have been made yet, and your feedback will help shape what happens next.

Where did these proposals come from?

They build on a detailed study carried out in 2021, which looked at ways to improve rail travel across Swansea Bay and West Wales. That study is called Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro WelTAG stage 2: final report.

What stage are these proposals at?

Phase A (between Swansea and Pembrey & Burry Port) is more advanced and has been through more detailed planning and design work. Phase B (between Swansea and Ammanford) is at an earlier stage, and we're still exploring what's possible.

Are there other rail improvements planned for the region?

Yes. You may have seen other proposals for South West Wales, including more frequent trains to Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven, and a possible light rail or tram-train service between Swansea and Neath. These proposals are separate from the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro and are not part of this consultation.

You can read more about these proposals here: Today, Tomorrow, Together | Transport for Wales

This consultation is focused specifically on the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro, covering Phase A (Swansea to Pembrey & Burry Port) and Phase B (Swansea to Ammanford). Your feedback on this survey will only inform these Metro proposals.

What about bus services in South West Wales?

Whilst we aren’t consulting on bus services as part of this project, TfW is changing Wales’ bus network. One of the main ways we’re doing this is by introducing a new way of running bus services called franchising.

Franchising is set to be introduced in South West Wales in 2028, followed by North Wales in 2029, and South East and Mid Wales in 2030.

Where can I find out more about Bus Franchising?

You can keep up to date on bus franchising in Wales here: Bus franchising | Transport for Wales

Cost and funding

How much will this cost?

We don't have final costs yet. Costs will depend on decisions still to be made about the design and scope of each proposal.

Is the funding guaranteed?

Not yet. Further funding will be needed to develop detailed designs and carry out more consultation before any decisions are made.

Stations

Will there be car parking at the new stations?

This will vary by location. Some stations may have park and ride facilities. Others may have limited or no parking, depending on the site and how people are expected to travel there.

Will there be cycle storage at the new stations?

Yes, cycle parking is being considered as part of the design for all proposed new stations.

How will people get to the stations by walking, cycling or bus?

We're looking at how each station connects to local walking and cycling routes and bus services. Your feedback on this will help shape the final designs.

Will the stations be staffed?

Most of the proposed new stations are expected to be unstaffed, though this may vary. We'll provide more detail as designs develop.

Trains and services

What train services will call at the new stations?

We're still working out timetables and which services will call where. More detail will follow as plans develop.

How often will trains run?

For Phase A, we're proposing up to two extra trains per hour between Swansea and Pembrey & Burry Port.

For Phase B, we're exploring up to two trains per hour between Swansea and Ammanford, creating a new service on a route that is not currently served by passenger trains.

Will these changes affect existing train services?

We don't expect current services to be reduced. We're aiming to add to what's already available, not take anything away.

Why are turnback facilities needed?

A turnback is a section of railway that lets trains safely change direction and start a new journey. Turnbacks help provide more flexibility when running train services, letting some services end and start at a station without affecting other trains on the line. This helps improve reliability and supports more frequent services.

Where are they being proposed?

We're proposing turnbacks at three locations. In Phase A, a turnback at Pembrey & Burry Port would let selected services end their journey there before heading back towards Swansea. In Phase B, turnbacks at Pontarddulais and Ammanford would help support more frequent services on the line between Swansea and Ammanford.

Have your say

How can I give my feedback?

You can complete our survey or come along to one of our public events. Details of dates and locations are on our website.

What happens to my feedback?

We'll use your responses to help shape the next stage of design. A summary of the feedback and how it has influenced the plans will be published once the consultation closes.

What happens next?

If proposals go ahead, there will be further rounds of consultation as designs are developed in more detail, before any final decisions are made.

Delivery of the proposals is subject to funding being secured from the UK Government.