Posted on: Thursday 19 December 2024
Remedial work to address historical issues with the platform at Pontypool and New Inn Railway Station has been completed.
Work to regrade and resurface the platform was carried out as part of a £7.1m project to transform the station and create a new park and ride facility.
The project was due to be completed in the summer, but the additional work plus unforeseen issues during construction have delayed the opening.
It is hoped the new facility will be opened by Network Rail next month, pending approval from the UK Government's Office of Rail and Road.
Council Leader Cllr Anthony Hunt said: "This has been an exceptionally challenging project that has involved several organisations working together to create a new regional transport hub, as part of the South Wales Metro scheme.
"It's great to see the development has reached the final stages and I look forward to it opening early next year.
"The new facility will not only benefit people who already use the station but will hopefully encourage others to use it as well. Increasing the number of people who use the station will mean we can lobby for more trains, which will be beneficial to commuters and those who want to travel more sustainably."
The new integrated park and ride facility will include 11 accessible parking bays, 3 with EV charging, 11 EV charging bays, 129 general use spaces, 3 drop off or taxi bays, 1 bus bay, 6 motorcycle bays and 8 new secure bike spaces, in additional to the 20 existing bike spaces, with access from a new road off the A4042.
A new footbridge and lift will connect the park and ride area to the station.
Torfaen Council has contributed £1.5m to the project, with £5.6m being provided by the Welsh Government and Cardiff Capital Region. It will be one of the first Cardiff Capital Region Metro Plus schemes to be delivered, as part of plans to create a South Wales Metro system.
Find out more about the Pontypool and New Inn Railway Station redevelopment here.