Government backs new Vale of Glamorgan railway station
The UK government has announced plans to build a new railway station in the Vale of Glamorgan which would reconnect St Athan to the rail network for the first time in 60 years.
The plans were revealed during transport secretary Mark Harper’s recent visit to the area to announce the UK government’s support for plans to improve rail links in the region.
As part of the visit, the Department for Transport has also pledged to work with both the local authority and Transport for Wales in funding and developing a business case for the new station. This will include assessing passenger demand and forecasts as well as options for train services.
Transport secretary Mark Harper said, “The return of services to St Athan for the first time in 60 years would be key to unlocking the area’s huge potential for growth, encouraging more businesses to invest in the area and opening up job opportunities for thousands of people.
“That’s why the UK government is unlocking funding to explore options for a new station, part of our plan to continue investing in local transport and help grow the economy.”
If it happens, the station would also provide an additional transport option for hundreds of staff at the nearby Aston Martin manufacturing and development facility, with the aim of attracting more businesses to invest in the Cardiff Airport-St Athan Enterprise Zones.
The new station would also support the local authority’s ambitions for growth by improving access to planned housing developments and Cardiff Capital Region’s plans to regenerate the decommissioned Aberthaw Power Station into a green energy park. This, says the government could spark the creation of specialist jobs in the aerospace, defence, automotive, manufacturing and engineering sectors, and drive economic growth in the region.
Secretary of state for Wales, David TC Davies, said, “The UK government has invested millions directly in Wales’ transport infrastructure, better connecting communities and creating greater opportunity for people across the country. This potential improvement to rail links in the Vale of Glamorgan is fantastic news.