Published this week following a 12-week consultation on draft proposals, the RUS outlines a plan to strengthen rail links throughout Wales while improving reliability and reducing journey times. It also analyses population, employment and housing forecasts and predicts that rail usage could increase by 31% by 2019.

The main proposals include boosting links between north and south Wales, mid-Wales and the East Midlands and significantly increasing the number of train services that can run through Cardiff and south east Wales. The strategy covers more than 900 route miles of railway in Wales and parts of the border region in England. Approximately 15% of these route miles are heavily used, with around half located within 30 miles of Cardiff.

Proposed enhancements in south Wales include line speed increases on the relief lines between Newport and the Severn Tunnel junction; doubling the frequency of passenger services between Cardiff and Maesteg by carrying out enhancement work at Cardiff Central, as well as the construction of a passing loop near Tondu on the Maesteg branch; and upgrading the central route through Cardiff to increase the number of services from 12 trains per hour to 16 to address long term capacity issues.

Four new through platforms at Cardiff Queen Street station could be built along with an additional Valleys line platform at Cardiff Central, as well as enabling four platforms instead of the two currently used by Valley line services, with the introduction of bi-directional signalling.

Network Rail also wants to make better use of the City line - running between Radyr and Cardiff via Ninian Park - by increasing line speed and providing more track capacity in the Cardiff Canton area. This would make the line more suitable for long-distance higher speed services Additional platforms could be built at Caerphilly, Pontypridd and Barry to increase the number of services and reduce journey times.

To improve rail links between north and south Wales a major study is currently underway to assess how journey times can be shortened, as well as increasing the number of services. This will build on the introduction of Arriva’s north-south express service next month. Network Rail is taking forward a signalling scheme to relieve capacity at a pinch-point near Abergavenny and plans enhancements at Shrewsbury to increase platform capacity and make connections easier for passengers. In north Wales the RUS also puts forward a case for redoubling of the line between Wrexham and Chester to provide greater capacity for the growing north-south passenger demand.

Dave Ward, route director for Network Rail said: "Following a detailed analysis and consultation, we have a robust strategy that builds upon the railway’s successful record of growth and improvement.

"While rising demand for rail is good news for the industry, we have to meet the challenge of accommodating both passenger and freight growth. The changes ahead will help to deliver benefits for passengers by increasing capacity and providing greater opportunities to travel throughout Wales by train."

The RUS will now be submitted to the rail regulator, the ORR, which has 60 days to consider the proposals after which it will formally become the rail industry strategy.