PLANS to reopen St Athan Railway Station 60 years after it closed have taken a major step forward with the announcement that the UK Government is backing the project.
The original St Athan Halt opened in September 1939 to serve the West Camp site of RAF St Athan, and it was changed to’station’ status in 1943 to reflect its growing importance, but many people still referred to it as ‘the halt’.
St Athan, along with all Vale branch stations, closed in June 1964 as part of the controversial Beeching Axe as set out in the report ‘The Reshaping of Britain’s Railways’.
The Vale of Glamorgan Line reopened in 2005, with Rhoose and Llantwit Major stations revived, but St Athan was not included.
The UK Government Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, visited the Vale on Monday where he announced backing for the plans. He 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.”
As part of the announcement, the Department for Transport pledged to work with the Vale Council and Transport for Wales in funding and developing a business case for the new station to explore its benefits.
If approved, the station would provide an additional transport option for hundreds of staff at the nearby Aston Martin manufacturing and development facility, while incentivising more businesses to invest in the Cardiff Airport – St Athan Enterprise Zones.
The station could benefit plans to regenerate the decommissioned Aberthaw Power Station into a green energy park and would improve access to planned housing developments in the area.
Alun Cairns, Conservative MP for the Vale said: “The station will be a major boost in improving local infrastructure and is a crucial step in ensuring the community is reconnected to jobs, education and other opportunities. I am pleased that the Transport Secretary has confirmed the UK Government’s backing to create a case for a new station in St Athan, which is crucial for the proposed housing and employment growth for the area.”
Photo: Gareth James.
The UK Government’s decision to back the new railway station was welcomed by Vale Council leader Cllr Lis Burnett (Labour, Stanwell), who described it as a ‘significant announcement’. Cllr Burnett said: “We have an aspiration through our new Local Development Plan to provide for truly sustainable development with excellent infrastructure and transport connections to support new growth.
“To this end, I am in no doubt that the exciting strategic proposals for development at St Athan and Aberthaw provide the basis of a clear business case for the new station and I look forward to feasibility work progressing.”
Under devolution, some aspects of transport are devolved to the Welsh Government, but others, including rail infrastructure, are the responsibility of the UK Government. A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Rail infrastructure is not devolved and while we welcome new investment in our railways after years of under-funding by the UK Government, it’s disappointing the UK Government has failed to provide any substantive detail about its support for a new station at St Athan, including what funding will be provided to deliver the infrastructure.
“We’re committed to working in partnership with the UK Government to improve rail infrastructure and services across Wales, but today’s announcement undermines this ambition.
“It does not align with the joint Wales Rail Board infrastructure priorities which were developed with the UK Government in good faith.”
- First Minister accused of ‘letting victims down’ over grooming gangs inquiry
- What does my ‘Sentinel Apiary’ actually do?
- Trio are sentenced over ‘drugs in prison’ plot
- The bells, the bells – bringing a Time and Tide Bell to Barry
- Penalty shoot out leads to Cup exit for Airport
- Ring rusty Barry RFC make a promising start
⭐ All of our social media in one handy place – here
First Minister accused of ‘letting victims down’ over grooming gangs inquiry
What does my ‘Sentinel Apiary’ actually do?
Trio are sentenced over ‘drugs in prison’ plot
The bells, the bells – bringing a Time and Tide Bell to Barry
Penalty shoot out leads to Cup exit for Airport
Ring rusty Barry RFC make a promising start
