New Stations in Wales - priority list

[whole diary]

[grahame]

New Railway Stations in Wales - proposals .... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-39733717

New railway station plans for Wales chosen for scrutiny

Economy Secretary Ken Skates has written to AMs saying the sites have been chosen from a list of 46 proposals for more detailed scrutiny.

Priority railway station proposals
Cardiff: Ely Mill/Victoria Park
Cardiff: Newport Road/Rover Way
Cardiff: St Mellons
Newport: Llanwern
Swansea: Cockett
Swansea: Landore
St Clears
Deeside Industrial Park/Northern Gateway
North Wrexham
South Wrexham
Llangefni
Bow Street

What - no Carno?  Anyone have the full list of 46?

[John R]

So I'll stick my neck out on one proposal, Newport Rd/Rover Way.

It's very familiar to me - indeed my father took me to that exact bridge when I was around 4 to watch the trains (and in hindsight, to give my mother some respite), and Mum still lives close by. I still remember the surprise we had when we turned up one day to find the signal box demolished and the area controlled by colour lights.

I can't see the sense in the proposal. Being a four track railway it would be hugely expensive, and there isn't that great a housing catchment area within walking distance, even with the newish flats built on the old Freightliner depot. Newport Rd is very well catered for by numerous buses, which take office commuters to the right side of the city centre for the majority of them. Given the line is very busy, unless the services run on the relief lines, it would cause performance issues too.   

[ellendune]

There is a Park and Ride Close by there isn't there?

[John R]

It's a fair way away, and not really aimed at the same market. 

[Noggin]

So I'll stick my neck out on one proposal, Newport Rd/Rover Way.

It's very familiar to me - indeed my father took me to that exact bridge when I was around 4 to watch the trains (and in hindsight, to give my mother some respite), and Mum still lives close by. I still remember the surprise we had when we turned up one day to find the signal box demolished and the area controlled by colour lights.

I can't see the sense in the proposal. Being a four track railway it would be hugely expensive, and there isn't that great a housing catchment area within walking distance, even with the newish flats built on the old Freightliner depot. Newport Rd is very well catered for by numerous buses, which take office commuters to the right side of the city centre for the majority of them. Given the line is very busy, unless the services run on the relief lines, it would cause performance issues too.   

Wasn't there a developer who wanted to pay for at least part of the station?

[John R]

I wasn't aware of that. Can't think of any attractive land nearby that might be ripe for development, but you never know.

[grahame]

New Railway Stations in Wales - proposals .... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-39733717

New railway station plans for Wales chosen for scrutiny

Economy Secretary Ken Skates has written to AMs saying the sites have been chosen from a list of 46 proposals for more detailed scrutiny.

Priority railway station proposals
Cardiff: Ely Mill/Victoria Park
Cardiff: Newport Road/Rover Way
Cardiff: St Mellons
Newport: Llanwern
Swansea: Cockett
Swansea: Landore
St Clears
Deeside Industrial Park/Northern Gateway
North Wrexham
South Wrexham
Llangefni
Bow Street

What - no Carno?  Anyone have the full list of 46?

Bow Street Station opened today!   https://www.facebook.com/paul.hinge.3/posts/10158967431894771

On the former Cambrian / Great Western Central Wales line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth , between Aberystwyth and Borth.

[grahame]

Specific Bow Street thread at http://www.passenger.chat/24676 - some more (general) background from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) article sourced there.

Bow Street is the first station to open in Wales since Pye Corner in Newport more than six years ago - and other than some new trains, this is the first tangible marker for the Transport for Wales rail franchise.

But Welsh ministers and rail bosses hope it is the first of many stations around Wales that are being considered to improve public transport infrastructure.

A project to reopen St Clears station in Carmarthenshire has secured £4.7m of UK^▸ (United Kingdom) government funding while the Welsh Government wants UK government cash help to build stations at Carno in Powys, Deeside Parkway in Flintshire and Ely Mill in Cardiff.

A privately funded £30m Cardiff Parkway station at St Mellons has also been backed by ministers in Wales.

Four more stations - three in Newport and one at Magor in Monmouthshire - have also been recommended by a Welsh Government-backed commission looking to alleviate congestion on the M4 following the scrapping of a new £1.6bn motorway south of Newport.

But although Transport for Wales - which runs the Wales and Border rail franchise - is Welsh Government-owned, most rail infrastructure in Wales and across the UK is under Westminster control.

"We have lots of ambitions for reopening a number of railway stations and increasing the number of services but railways are run by the UK government," said Welsh Deputy Transport Minister Lee Waters.

"We're stuck in the sidings a little bit. Without UK government stepping up to the plate, we don't have the means to deliver them.

"We've called for extra powers to be given to Wales for railway infrastructure. We are being short-changed by £5bn over the next 10 years for the investment we need. "

The UK Government said the Welsh Government can and does invest in station construction and upgrade, in addition to the funding provided Westminster.

"This Government has committed a record £1.5 billion to the Welsh railways in recent years," added a Department for Transport spokesperson.

"The specification, procurement and management of rail services in Wales is devolved to Welsh ministers and we work closely with them."

[grahame]

From the Tivyside Advertiser

Plans to reopen a train station that has remained closed for over 60 years once again hang in the balance as a result of a substantial escalation in costs resulting in a shortfall of nearly £6 million.