Plaid Cymru’s Transport Spokesperson was given a tour behind the scenes of the rail industry to see how signalling works and the extent of freight being moved by train.

Peredur Owen Griffiths was taken on a tour of the Network Rail Wales Rail Operating Centre in Cardiff and the Freightliner depot in Wentloog where large orders for companies like Tesco are unloaded by rail and transported out in containers.

The Senedd Member for the South Wales East region was also shown two new walkways over tracks at Cwmbran and Abergavenny stations as part of a multi-million pound investment to improve access.

Peredur said: “It was great to have an insight into aspects of rail industry that may be unseen but are absolutely vital. The Network Rail Wales Rail Operating Centre in Cardiff was impressive for how slick it is managed and how incidents are dealt with.

“A dedicated team are on standby 24 hours day, 365 days a year to ensure that incidents like adverse weather or trespassing are dealt with safely and swiftly.

“Over the other side of the building was where the remote signalling for the train network in Wales is handled. The staff there impressed with their dedication and diligence to ensuring safety on our railways.”

Peredur added: “The visit to the Freightliner depot in Wentloog was illuminating. It plays a key part in ensuring our economy keeps moving.

“From an environmental point of view, it is also important because this one depot alone takes hundreds of lorries off our congested roads every day.

“It was also great to see how investment is being made into making our stations accessible to all. People with disabilities should have every opportunity to travel by train.

“I thank everyone involved in putting the visits together and for their time on the day in showing me behind the scenes of our vital rail industry.”

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