<-- News Release

PLANNING APPROVAL GRANTED FOR NEW RAILWAY STATION

The go-ahead has been given for the first railway station on the new Ebbw Valley Rail project.

Newport City Council’s planning committee has granted planning consent for the station on the railway line at Afon Village, Rogerstone.  

The application was made by Blaenau Gwent Council. 

Councillor Olwen Swales, Executive Member for Highways and Transportation said: “This is a Park and Ride station which is designed to encourage people to leave their cars and use the train. 

“It will provide over 50 parking spaces, including disabled facilities, and is capable of expanding to 75 places in the future.  We’re delighted that the necessary permission has been granted and feel sure this will encourage even more people to use the train.”

The railway station consists of a single platform with passenger waiting shelters, seating and two-way passenger help points; as well as Park and Ride facilities, incorporating provision for setting down/picking up passengers and secure bicycle storage.   

A key aspect of the design was the maximisation of passenger safety and security through the promotion of natural surveillance together with high quality lighting. Closed Circuit Television will also be provided. 

Rogerstone is one of six new stations on the rail link to Cardiff and Newport, three of which are subject to planning permission – the others being Newbridge and Risca & Pontymister. The other stations are at Ebbw Vale Parkway, Llanhilleth and Crosskeys. 

The ambitious proposal to reintroduce passenger trains on the Ebbw Valley railway line is being promoted by the Councils of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Newport and is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government. Rail services are due to commence Summer 2006. 

Capita Gwent Consultancy is managing the design work and procurement for the stations on behalf of the three Gwent authorities. Principal Engineer, David McCallum, says: “This is the first station to obtain planning consent, and therefore represents an important milestone, as we press ahead with the delivery of the scheme.”