Network Rail yesterday published an industry document for consultation, the draft Wales Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS). The consultation will close on August 22. The Wales RUS report identifies ways in which the rail network's potential can be maximised. The Assembly Government, Arriva Trains Wales, First Great Western, freight operators and the Association of Train Operating Companies were also involved in the strategy’s formation.

Recently there has been debate about the simplification of rail ticket pricing into three broad categories, one of which (Advance) is available already and two more, Off-peak and Anytime, will appear on September 7. This new structure of ticketing is important as it reflects the ease and cost at which passengers purchase tickets. Around this debate, however, is the bigger issue of the rail network, namely how to maximise its potential for passenger and freight journeys.

The Wales RUS highlights as concerns two sources of pressure in Wales’ rail network: a higher than predicted long-term growth in commuting journeys into Cardiff between 1998 and 2006; and also general growth in all day rail travel. According to Network Rail more than 30 million passengers travelled within Wales during the past year (April 2006 – April 2007). The largest volume of passenger movements was in the south Wales region, where 62 per cent of all journeys within Wales started or ended.

2008 marked the beginning of the Ebbw Vale train service and improvements are expected to the West Coast Main Line that will increase the frequency of journeys to Bangor and Holyhead from England using the current infrastructure. The RUS document highlights a number of potential options and improvements, including: 

• New stations at Llanwern and Energlyn accompanying residential developments
  
• Work to enhance capacity beyond 2 tracks on the Great Western Main Line west of Cardiff Central station
  
• A renewal of signaling in Newport and Cardiff during the next 5-7 years
  
• Work on Valleys-Cardiff lines: a passing loop at Merthyr Vale to increase frequency of services from Merthyr Tydfil and additional platforms at Cardiff Central, Caerphilly and Pontypridd to aim towards 16 trains per hour in the long term through the Valleys network
  
• A feasibility study to address journey time reductions and frequency improvements from north to south Wales, including signaling enhancements recommended to address a pinch-point near Abergavenny. 
  

The Assembly Government's Minister for Economy and Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones, will present the Wales RUS in the Senedd on June 4. The widest possible engagement with the public and businesses through representative bodies is essential to ensure Wales can shape a rail network fit for its requirements. Making representations to Assembly Members before June 4 would be a good way to start for interested members of the public.