New map shows huge £1bn plans to replicate London's Tube line in Wales

Ambitious plans to connect south Wales with a London-style metro system are well underway, as the mega project announces its latest phase. The South Wales Metro, often referred to as the 'Welsh Tube', was first proposed back in 2013 and aims to create an integrated system involving trains, trams, and buses.

Once finished, a 105-mile network will allow 36 new tram-trains to transport tourists and commuters across the core Valley Lines, efficiently linking areas such as with Aberdare, Coryton, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney and Treherbert. It could see the end of traditional timetables stagnating travel efficiency in the area, with significantly increased journeys running every five minutes in certain hotspots.

The epic transformation, which reportedly comes with a staggering £1 billion price tag at the taxpayer's expense, has already caused swathes of disruption in the south Wales valleys - with fed-up locals having to deal with rail bus replacements. However, signs of a completed metro are finally coming along.

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Just like London's tube system, the network will operate on a colour-coded map and allow contactless tap-in and tap-out payments. Those living in or around Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil and Treherbert will have access to four trains per hour (every 15 minutes) while those around Caerphilly will get six trains per hour and Pontypridd will see 12 trains per hour (every five minutes) running to the Welsh capital.

Despite its comparison with the London tube, the majority of the South Wales Metro line is above ground (although, so is London's tube, technically). There are however a few exceptions, such as the tunnel connecting Cardiff with Caerphilly.

Forty railway stations will also be renovated as part of the project, which aims to complete its first phase later this year. According to a report from last year, proposals for a have also been floated - including Cardiff Parkway, Cardiff East, Newport West, halts at Somerton and Llanwern, external in Newport and a station at Magor and Undy in Monmouthshire.

Cardiff Central is also preparing for a facelift thanks to a separate programme pumping £140 million into the station. "The proposed improvements will modernise the station and support long-term passenger growth, while still complementing the history and heritage of the building," Transport for Wales (TfW) said.

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There are already eight trains currently serving the Rhymney line, and TfW has recently announced major enhancements will go ahead here to electrify over 15km of railway line in the next eight months. To deliver the work safely, there will be periods when the railway line will be closed and rail replacement services in operation to keep passengers moving. This includes two six-week closures from April 12 to May 23 and July 19 to August 31.

"We are excited to embark on our transformation programme to upgrade the Rhymney line as part of the South Wales Metro project, aimed at transforming public transport in South Wales," said Dan Tipper, Chief Infrastructure Officer at TfW. "We'll be carrying out major infrastructure improvements on the line, including the installation of Overhead Line Equipment to electrify the line and upgrades to local railway stations.

"We appreciate the patience of our customers and neighbours living near the railway as we carry out these upgrades. We understand that rail closures and engineering work may cause disruption for those who rely on our services and for those living close to the tracks and would like to urge all customers to check before travelling during this period."

What do you think of the 'Welsh Tube?' Let us know in the comments section below.