Plans for a new station at St Athan will restore services to the area for the first time in 60 years and reconnect thousands to jobs, education and business opportunities
Passengers in South Wales could soon benefit from better connectivity as the Transport Secretary visits the Vale of Glamorgan today (19 February 2024) to announce the UK government’s support for plans to improve rail links in the region.
As part of his visit, he will join local people including Vale of Glamorgan MP Alun Cairns to announce the UK government’s commitment to fund the development of a business case to look at options for a new station in St Athan. This could offer thousands of people better access to the region’s growing number of homes, jobs and business opportunities.
A new station would restore services on the Vale of Glamorgan line to the area for the first time in 60 years, reconnecting thousands to jobs, education and business opportunities. It is part of the government’s long-term plan to grow the economy, support business and help people into work.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:
Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said:
As part of today’s announcement, the Department for Transport has pledged to work with both the local authority and Transport for Wales in funding and developing a business case for the new station to explore its benefits. This will include assessing passenger demand and forecasts as well as options for train services.
If approved for full delivery, the station would also provide an additional transport option for hundreds of staff at the nearby Aston Martin manufacturing and development facility, while attracting more businesses to invest in the growing Cardiff Airport-St Athan Enterprise Zones.
On top of this, it would support Cardiff Capital Region’s plans to regenerate the decommissioned Aberthaw Power Station into a green energy park. This will spark the creation of specialist jobs in the aerospace, defence, automotive, manufacturing and engineering sectors, and drive economic growth in the region.
A new station would also support the local authority’s ambitions for growth by improving access to planned housing developments in the region.