A report undertaken by Transport for Wales for the Transport
Minister identified four locations for
new stations. The developments, which would be paid for under the
New Stations Fund 3, would be ready by early 2024.
All of equal priority, the stations would be:
- Deeside Parkway, on the Borderlands Line in North Wales
- Carno, on the Cambrian Mainline in Mid Wales
- St Clears on the Great Western Mainline in West Wales
- Ely Mill on the City Line in Cardiff, in South Wales
In his letter, the Minister for Economy, Transport and North
Wales writes:
“In combination, which is why I have not prioritised between
them, the Transport for Wales report demonstrates a compelling
case for all four to be developed as an integrated programme to
improve access to the rail network across the regions of Wales.
They will make a major contribution to improved rail
connectivity, supercharge our post Covid19 recovery, and
develop our public transport for the future. Our new station
openings will be key to Building Back Better.”
Deeside Parkway and Ely Mill will be key components of their
respective Metro developments with major contributions to
improved urban connectivity, employment/economic growth and
reduced car use.
New stations in Carno and St Clears would support strong
employment and sustainable economic growth through improved
regional connectivity. They share extensive support within rural
communities with limited public transport opportunities, who have
historically been overlooked, particularly since the closure of
previous stations in these communities and of Laura Ashley’s
famous factory in Carno.
The Transport Minister also invited the Transport Secretary to
discuss further priorities for rail investment, including new
stations at Greenfield and Magor. He put forward suggestions for
the New Ideas Fund, such as the restoration of passenger services
on the line between Gaerwen and Amlwch on Anglesey and an
expressed interest in using the Accelerating Existing Proposals
fund to restore the line and services to Abertillery in South
Wales. He also took the opportunity to reiterate the case
strongly for plans which included the Aberystwyth – Carmarthen
and Bangor – Caernarfon re-openings.
