Slightly perverse test since, as I understand it, the intention is to use the Class 398 tram-trains on the central Valleys lines.  A good number of them are is already at the new Taff's Well depot.

I take WelshBluebird's points about access for locals.  However, for international matches many spectators are from away.

The ground is not up to the standard of any of the others which host international cricket.  Temporary stands have to be erected for fixtures and even then the capacity is limited.

I've been to several international matches there.  There is no shade unless you happen to be in the pavilion and the temporary toilet facilities (largely those blue building site portabogs) are both inadequate in number and minging.

The last time I was there, the ticket/security check involved a 20 minute queue snaking down Nevil Road. Poorly compared with everywhere else except Lord's.

There is no car parking to speak of within any reasonable distance and, pending the opening of Ashley Down Station, no convenient rail connection.  There are bus services via Gloucester Road, Muller Road and Ashley Down Road so not very far away.  But you still probably have to park somewhere and catch a bus if you're not local.

I also agree, however, that a green field stadium somewhere off the ring road or the M4 is not the answer.  The majority of cricket played at Bristol is attractive only to a local audience and moving out of town would not improve attendance at Glos CCC matches.

A conundrum. 

The ground is fine for Glos CCC cricket but it is not up to scratch for anything beyond that.  As has been said above, there is competition for 100 franchises and as it stands Taunton would get the vote over Bristol as it's a much better appointed ground, as is Sophia Gardens of course.

I suspect the Valley Lines closures for electrification may also have had an impact on numbers.  For example, Treherbert to Pontypridd is closed from 24/04/23 until Feb 2024 for re-signalling, re-railing, extra passing loop, and OLE^▸ (Overhead Line Equipment, more often "OHLE").  While there's a rail replacement bus, many will have reverted to car or used the "ordinary" bus.

Only one train... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llangurig_branch

The double track line curving round to the right is the Swansea & District Line.

The location is Morlais Junction.  The single track straight ahead is effectively the start of the Heart of Wales line towards Pontarddulais.  The line was already out of commission at the other end because of flood damage at Llangynllo near Knighton so it's bustitute time for a good few weeks.

I think you're over-translating here.  Abercynon is at the mouth of the River Cynon which runs down the Cynon Valley (not surprisingly) and is where it meets the River Taff, which runs down from Merthyr Tydfil and beyond.     The railway from Cardiff via Pontypridd also splits here - one branch to Aberdare (where the River Dare runs into the Cynon) and the other to Merthyr.   

Abercynon was also once known as "Navigation".  Trevithick's railway from Penydarren Ironworks terminated here, giving him access to the Glamorganshire Canal.  So the location has an honourable railway (and industrial revolution) history.

Here's a 2018 press article on the Abernant Tunnel with some quite good photos showing the brickwork appears in good condition. 

And there's a 2011 YouTube video walk-through with very wobbly camera.

You can find their filed accounts at https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. 

Both DR and the parent company have yet to file their 2018 accounts and the 2017 ones show massive trading losses.  It appears that the operations are only kept afloat by funding from the American owner.   In fact, both sets of accounts have auditors' statements saying that they can only certify the businesses as going concerns on the basis of subsidy from the ultimate American parent. 

Move to Wales!

As an example, my usual Valley Lines journey to CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) & back goes down from £4.05 to £3.30.  And it might even be a 150 with a state of the art bog instead of a Pacer.

153 wouldn't do any good on any of the re-opened lines although one runs intermittently on the Cardiff Queen Street - Cardiff Bay branch.  Journey time 4 minutes.

The Valley lines now have a "likely to be rammed" checking page. 

Not my experience.  I travelled from Bromsgrove to New Street and back the other day and bought the tickets using the TfW app while I was waiting on the platform.

Not sure you'd say excellent life if you had to stand on a crowded Pacer Valleys commute on a dark wet Autumn morning/evening.  Somewhat sweaty experience.

Incidentally, I had my first journey on a re-bogged 150 last week.  Dot matrix destination display in each carriage and an annoying "The next station is XXX. Thank you" announcement every 4 or 5 minutes.  Why "Thank you"? 

BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) report says it was a bag of bolts!

I seem to recall that the Severn Tunnel has an 8 minute headway.

II, Absolutely fascinating video showing the sheer scale of the electrification project.  Pity all that ironmongery spoils the wide open spaces of the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line).  A lot of lineside greenery has had to go too.

Splendidly synch-ed as well and informatively captioned. ***** rating.