Plans to bring back into use a former section of railway linking Cardiff and Pontyclun have been revealed.
WalesOnline has confirmed that consultants Mott McDonald have been appointed to consider options for reintroducing a 12-mile stretch of disused railway line running from the north west of the capital into the Valleys and locations such as Llantrisant and Pontcylun.
The project, depending on any route taken, could cost tens of millions of pounds.
With tram-trains, which could operate in battery mode, the project, if realised, would be a next phase of rail's South Wales Metro project.
Its second phase, for which a budget of £738m has been ring fenced, will see electrification of the core Valley Lines into Cardiff, as well as the Coryton Line through the city itself.
Work on electrification is expected to be completed by 2023.
The proposed north west corridor project, would also be aligned to plans from Cardiff Council for a new integrated public transport network across the city, which has been dubbed Cardiff Crossrail.
It is being supported by First Minister Mark Drakeford as well as leaders of Rhondda Cynon Taf and Cardiff councils, in Andrew Morgan and Huw Thomas,and Pontypridd AM Mick Antoniw.
Mr Drakeford said: “As our city grows, this project will offer residents a clean, efficient and modern means of commuting into Cardiff, reducing the impact of road use on the environment and improving people’s well-being.
"It would serve the new developments in north west Cardiff, existing communities in places like Fairwater and Canton, as well as people commuting into Cardiff from Rhondda Cynon Taf.
"I have always argued that the growth in population in Cardiff west must not outstrip the infrastructure required.
"I am determined that the best possible transport infrastructure will be a central part of the continuing transformation of our city and the wider South Wales region, which is why I’m backing this ambitious and hugely exciting plan.”
The former section of railway ceased operating more than 50 years ago.
