NETWORK Rail has unveiled £40 million plans to upgrade the railway line between Gowerton and Loughor.

Under the plans, the old Loughor viaduct will be replaced and six miles of track between Cockett West junction and Duffryn West junction redoubled.

The eastbound platform at Gowerton Station will also be reopened to cater for the new track.

Network Rail Wales route manager Mark Langman said the plans confirmed the rail infrastructure authority's commitment to expanding Wales's railways and helping people leave their cars and take the train.

He said: "The scheme promises to bring huge social economic benefits in South West Wales by improving capacity and connectivity to key employment centres.

"There will be an improved passenger experience with shorter journey times and better connections.

He said the scheme could also encourage people to change their habits, potentially removing around 300,000 trips from road to rail.

The number of passengers using railways in West Wales is forecast to rise by 20 per cent by 2020, Network Rail has said. It believes the plans will meet that demand, allowing two extra trains per hour between Swansea and Llanelli and one extra an hour between Swansea and Carmarthen.

Performance should be improved because the extra line should allow trains to carry on running when one of the lines is shut or congested. Gowerton station will be upgraded with a new footbridge — compliant with disability access laws — to allow access to the new platform, CCTV, real-time customer information and better lighting.

In upgrading the viaduct, Network Rail is proposing to keep the existing stone abutments and some of the Grade II listed trestles and create a small section of the old viaduct on the western shore.

The viaduct plans were submitted to Carmarthenshire Council yesterday.

The scheme is backed by the Welsh Government and the South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium.

david.price@swwmedia.co.uk