Major transport projects move step closer

Four major transport projects in Bridgend county borough have moved a step closer following a £5m regional grant from Welsh Government for the South East Wales Metro Plus Schemes.

The Local Transport Fund (LTF) grant follows a bid by the Cardiff Capital Region Transport Authority which comprises representatives from the ten local authorities in South East Wales.

As part of the first phase of the Metro Plus scheme, an expansion of the Pyle railway station park and ride car park is planned, increasing capacity by an additional 25 spaces to provide a total of 75 parking spaces with charging points for electric vehicles, cycle parking bays and enhanced links with Village Farm Industrial Estate.

The second phase of the programme which is in the early stages of planning includes a new railway station in Brackla and enhancing the capacity of the Penprysg road rail bridge in Pencoed, allowing the level crossing to be closed.

Meanwhile the metro enhancement framework includes developing the Maesteg to Bridgend to Porthcawl to Cardiff corridor as part of a pipeline of future transport projects being delivered. The plans include a purpose-built bus station in Porthcawl, known as the Porthcawl Terminus, which would serve as a park and ride between Porthcawl and Pyle station.

This is excellent news – the grant represents a significant investment in our transportation and will allow us to proceed with confidence.

I am also delighted that despite the challenges we have all faced over recent months that we continue to make such good progress on all our transport programmes.

Every single local authority area will benefit from transport infrastructure improvements from Bridgend in the west to Monmouthshire in East, in our cities and in our valleys so it is vital we sustain momentum across the whole portfolio of transport initiatives.

Bridgend County Borough Council leader Huw David who is also chairman of the Cardiff Capital Region Transport Authority

The Metro Plus programme was initially agreed in March 2019 where Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, in collaboration with Welsh Government and Transport for Wales, identified a proposed £50 million programme of local transport schemes to support the implementation of the South Wales Metro.

Kellie Beirne, director of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal said: “This portfolio of transport indicatives’ is fundamental to our ambition to create a truly connected, competitive, resilient region.

“I am delighted we have been able to secure the LTF funding award, and at the levels of collaboration we are continuing to experience despite the immense challenges being faced by everyone.

“It is a testament to the hard work, commitment and dedication of everyone involved that we continue to be able to report such positive progress.”

The ten local authorities have also submitted a total of £26m of proposals in the form of ‘expressions of interest’ to Welsh Government for the progression of sustainable transport measures in response to Covid-19.

The Metro plus Phase 1 schemes that make up the programme are:

• Pontypool and New Inn Park and Ride
• Severn Tunnel Junction Park and Ride
• Pyle Park and Ride and Porthcawl Terminus
• Pentrebach Interchange
• Porth Transport Interchange
• Abertillery Transport Hub
• Caerphilly Interchange
• Barry Docks Interchange
• Cardiff East Bus Priority
• Newport to Cardiff Transport Priority.            

The four transport corridor programmes in the Metro Enhancement Framework are:

• Maesteg – Bridgend – Porthcawl  –  Cardiff
• Vale of Glamorgan  – Cardiff
• Newport – Chepstow                                                                        
•  North West Cardiff

The Metro Plus Phase 2 programme is at the very early stages of development and includes the following schemes:

• Brackla Railway Station
• Pencoed Level Crossing
• Abergavenny station interchange & improvements
• Cardiff Bus Priority
• Cwmbran Interchange
• Cogan Interchange
• Ystrad Mynach P&R extension
• Hirwaun Rail extension and P&R
• Cardiff Bus priority between Newport city centre and the international conference centre Wales
• Merthyr Rail – Bus Connectivity and
• Brynmawr Transport Interchange.