Construction of Core Valley Lines (CVL) overhead electrification equipment commenced on 26 July, when the first piles for masts were installed on the Aberdare branch.
The work, between Penrhiwceiber and Mountain Ash, took place a year later than Transport for Wales had aimed for prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, TfW does not expect significant delays to completion, because the CVL transformation programme has been rescheduled and revised. Less overhead line electrification will be needed than was expected when the plans were announced in 2018. Improvements in battery technology enable the battery/electric stock to run further without OLE than had been assumed.
TfW also accelerated preparatory works between Radyr and Pontypridd with a three-week blockade last winter, taking advantage of low passenger numbers during the second Covid-19 lockdown.
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