Port Talbot – Swansea Signalling Renewal Scheme
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- Port Talbot – Swansea Signalling Renewal Scheme
We’re delivering £60m of investment on the South Wales Mainline with the installation of a new state of the art signalling system from Port Talbot to Swansea.
This major upgrade project includes a new signalling system between Cockett Tunnel (west of Swansea Station) and Baglan (west of Port Talbot), as well as upgrading track, power supplies and telecoms equipment. This will increase the resilience, flexibility and reliability of the railway in South Wales.

The new signalling system will comprise of 55 new LED signals, which will control all train movement on this line. All of this will be powered by a new supply – which required the provision of new electrical supply points. This system will include built-in standby generators and additional emergency generator bases to enable rail services to be maintained in the event of any power failures, making the railway more resilient for passengers. Work commenced on the project in 2017.

Enhancement works at Briton Ferry include the installation of two sets of points unlocking the capability for bi-directional signalling between Port Talbot and Swansea. This will allow the railway traffic to be operated in either direction, improving the flexibility and resilience of the railway. Four new buffer stops and 160 metres of track were installed at Swansea station increasing the available platform lengths to accommodate new trains.

The new state of the art signalling equipment will be commissioned in March 2019 and is set to be completed by the end of summer 2019.
Over three miles of track has been reprofiled and 22,000 tonnes of new ballast installed between Neath and Llansamlet.

Project statistics:
- 160 miles of new cable installed.
- 55 new LED digital signals.
- Three miles of track alterations and upgrades between Neath and Llansamlet
- 160 metres of new track installed at Swansea station
- 22000 new ballast installed
Contact us
For any queries regarding this project, please contact our 24-hr Network Rail national helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or email CRWales@networkrail.co.uk

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