:Wales Route Utilisation Strategy
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2017}}
The Wales Route Utilisation Strategy is a Route Utilisation Strategy, published by Network Rail in November 2008.{{Cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/wales/wales%20rus.pdf|title=Wales RUS|access-date=31 July 2009|archive-date=7 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607075754/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/wales/wales%20rus.pdf|url-status=dead}} It was the tenth RUS to be produced. By default, RUSs are established by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) unless the latter objects within 60 days. A letter formally confirming establishment was sent by ORR to Network Rail in January 2009,{{Cite web |url=http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/rus-wales_230109.pdf |title=ORR letter to Network Rail confirming establishment |access-date=31 July 2009 |archive-date=7 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707005037/http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/rus-wales_230109.pdf |url-status=dead }} and the RUS is included in Network Rail's map as established.{{Cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/rus%20programme/rus%20programme%20&%20map.pdf|title=Network Rail RUS Programme and Map}}{{dead|date=May 2025}}
The scope includes the whole of Strategic Routes 14 - South and Central Wales and Borders {{Cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/RoutePlans/2009/Route%2014%20-%20South%20and%20Central%20Wales%20and%20Borders.pdf|title=Route 14 - South and Central Wales and Borders|access-date=31 July 2009|archive-date=7 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607110153/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/RoutePlans/2009/Route%2014%20-%20South%20and%20Central%20Wales%20and%20Borders.pdf}} and 15 - South Wales Valleys,{{Cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/RoutePlans/2009/Route%2015%20-%20South%20Wales%20Valleys.pdf|title=15 - South Wales Valleys |access-date=31 July 2009 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607110329/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/RoutePlans/2009/Route%2015%20-%20South%20Wales%20Valleys.pdf}} almost all of Route 22 - North wales and Borders,{{Cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/RoutePlans/2009/Route%2022%20-%20North%20Wales%20and%20Borders.pdf|title=Route 22 - North Wales and Borders |access-date=31 July 2009 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607110425/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/RoutePlans/2009/Route%2022%20-%20North%20Wales%20and%20Borders.pdf}} and also that part of Route 13 - Great Western Main Line {{Cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/RoutePlans/2009/Route%2013%20-%20Great%20Western%20Main%20Line.pdf|title=Route 13 - Great Western Main Line|access-date=31 July 2009|archive-date=31 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331120839/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/RoutePlans/2009/Route%2013%20-%20Great%20Western%20Main%20Line.pdf|url-status=dead}} west of Pilning.
As with other RUSs, the Wales RUS took into account a number of responses{{Cite web|url=http://www.rmt.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeId=111289|title=RMT response to consultation|url-status=dead|access-date=31 July 2009|archive-date=6 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206145119/http://www.rmt.org.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeId=111289}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/our_council/council/minutes,_agendas__reports/reports/cabinet/2008/09-09-03/network_rail.aspx |title=Vale of Glamorgan council response to consultation |access-date=31 July 2009 |archive-date=8 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608015802/http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/our_council/council/minutes,_agendas__reports/reports/cabinet/2008/09-09-03/network_rail.aspx |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.saveseverntunnel.co.uk/draft-timetable.htm |title=Severn Tunnel Action Group response to consultation |access-date=31 July 2009 |archive-date=21 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121024227/http://www.saveseverntunnel.co.uk/draft-timetable.htm |url-status=dead }}
, including the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR).{{Cite web |url=http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/rus-wales_220808.pdf |title=ORR's response to consultation |access-date=31 July 2009 |archive-date=7 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707005127/http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/rus-wales_220808.pdf |url-status=dead }}
Many of the planned enhancements in and around Newport and Cardiff areas should be effected in conjunction with scheduled signal renewals. During Control Period 4, the capability of Cardiff city centre lines will be increased to 16 trains per hour in both directions (tph), from the current 12.
The RUS began the evaluation of significant infrastructure developments in the North Wales/Merseyside areas, which was taken up in the Merseyside RUS.{{Cite web|url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?dir=\RUS%20Documents\Route%20Utilisation%20Strategies\Merseyside&pageid=4449&root=\RUS%20Documents\Route%20Utilisation%20Strategies |title=Merseyside RUS |access-date=28 April 2022 |archive-date=19 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090419043930/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?dir=%5CRUS%20Documents%5CRoute%20Utilisation%20Strategies%5CMerseyside&pageid=4449&root=%5CRUS%20Documents%5CRoute%20Utilisation%20Strategies}}