CASR Cardiff: 2026 Construction Update & Route Map

Wales’ Cardiff Area Signalling Renewal (CASR) project modernized railway infrastructure, boosting safety, capacity, and passenger experience. The £268 million upgrade significantly improved the South Wales rail network.

CASR Cardiff: 2026 Construction Update & Route Map
July 18, 2018 5:40 pm
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Project Profile: Cardiff Area Signalling Renewal (CASR)

The Cardiff Area Signalling Renewal (CASR) project was a comprehensive modernisation initiative designed to upgrade the South Wales railway infrastructure. The project replaced life-expired signalling systems, enhanced station facilities, and resolved a critical network bottleneck to significantly increase service capacity and reliability. This profile details the technical specifications and strategic impact of this foundational upgrade, which paved the way for the future electrification of the Valleys network.

Project Fact Sheet

AttributeDetails
Project NameCardiff Area Signalling Renewal (CASR)
LocationCardiff and surrounding Valleys network, South Wales, UK
Route Miles Upgraded192 route miles
Primary OutcomeIncreased capacity to 16 trains per hour (TPH) in each direction
Final Cost£268 million
Project Timeline2012 – 2015
StatusOperational
Key ContractorsNetwork Rail (Client), Atkins, Balfour Beatty, BAM Nuttall, Mott MacDonald, Siemens

Technical Specifications

The CASR project involved a substantial overhaul of trackside and station infrastructure. The core of the project was the replacement of obsolete signalling technology with a modern, computer-based interlocking system. This encompassed the installation of 900 new train detection sections, 194 LED signals, and 137 iLs (Interlocking Signals) signals, all connected via 900 kilometres of new signalling cable. Power infrastructure was upgraded with 150 kilometres of 650V distribution cable to support the new systems.

Civil engineering works were equally extensive, focusing on capacity enhancement. Seven new platforms were constructed at key stations including Barry, Caerphilly, and Pontypridd, alongside a completely new station at Energlyn. At the network’s core, Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street stations received additional platforms and new entrances to improve passenger flow. The removal of the bottleneck between these two hub stations was a critical achievement, enabling a significant uplift in service frequency across the network.

Key Takeaways

  • Capacity and Performance Enhancement: The project successfully eliminated a major bottleneck in Cardiff, enabling a substantial increase in train services to 16 TPH and improving punctuality and reliability across the South Wales network.
  • Foundation for Electrification: By modernising the signalling and power distribution systems, CASR provided the essential groundwork for the subsequent South Wales Metro project and the electrification of the Valleys Lines.
  • Comprehensive Network Modernisation: The project’s success demonstrates the value of an integrated approach, combining core signalling upgrades with vital station enhancements and track work to deliver a holistic improvement in both operational efficiency and passenger experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What was the primary purpose of the Cardiff Area Signalling Renewal project?

The primary purpose of the Cardiff Area Signalling Renewal (CASR) project was to replace outdated signalling equipment to improve safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. A key objective was to remove a major railway bottleneck between Cardiff Central and Queen Street stations, which significantly increased train capacity throughout the South Wales rail network.

Who were the main contractors for the CASR project?

The project was a collaborative effort led by Network Rail. Key contractors included Atkins for signalling design and implementation, Balfour Beatty for all track work, BAM Nuttall for station construction at Cardiff Central and Queen Street, and Siemens for telecommunication systems and lineside equipment.