Train station on track

Posted on: Wednesday 8 March 2023
PPNI - Bridge Lift 1

Footbridge being lifted into play at Pontypool and New Inn Railway Station

A project to transform Pontypool and New Inn Railway Station has reached an important construction milestone. 

The footbridge, which will link the station to a new park and ride facility, was craned into place on Saturday night, with two lift shafts due to be installed this weekend.

It marks a key point in the £7.1m development and was the result of close collaboration between the contractors and Network Rail, which closed the line for eight hours to allow the work to be carried out.

The project is expected to be completed in June.

Councillor Mandy Owen, Executive Member for the Environment, said: "It's great to see the development has reached the final stages. The new park and ride facility will make it much easier for passengers who need to leave their cars at the train station, as well as cyclists who want to travel further afield.

"Increasing the number of people who use the station will mean we can lobby for more trains, which will be beneficial to commuters and those who want to travel more sustainably."

The new integrated park and ride facility will include 11 accessible parking bays, 3 with EV charging, 11 EV charging bays, 129 general use spaces, 3 drop off or taxi bays, 1 bus bay, 6 motorcycle bays and 8 new secure bike spaces, in additional to the 20 existing bike spaces.

Torfaen Council is contributing £1.5m to the project, with £5.6m being provided by the Welsh Government and Cardiff Capital Region. It will be one of the first Cardiff Capital Region Metro Plus schemes to be delivered, as part of plans to create a South Wales Metro system.

To find out more about the Pontypool and New Inn Railway Station redevelopment, visit our website.

Earlier this week, work began to plant 80 trees and more than 4,500 hedging plants in Pontypool Park to offset the removal of vegetation from the train station site. 

The trees, including cherry, hazel and silver birch, and hedges will be planted in five different areas within the park - two to the west, near Penygarn, one near the ski slope and two to the east, between the ski slope and shell grotto. Public access routes and open spaces used by dog walkers will be maintained. You can read more here - New trees for Pontypool Park.

Last Modified: 22/05/2023 Back to top