Four major transport projects move a step closer after £5m grant

FOUR major transport projects in Bridgend county borough have moved a step closer following a £5m regional grant from the Welsh Government for the South East Wales Metro Plus Schemes.

The Local Transport Fund (LTF) grant follows a bid by the Cardiff Capital Region Transport Authority which comprises representatives from the 10 local authorities in South East Wales.

As part of the first phase of the Metro Plus scheme, an expansion of the Pyle railway station park and ride car park is planned, increasing capacity by an additional 25 spaces to provide a total of 75 parking spaces with charging points for electric vehicles, cycle parking bays and enhanced links with Village Farm Industrial Estate.

The second phase of the programme which is in the early stages of planning includes a new railway station in Brackla and enhancing the capacity of the Penprysg road rail bridge in Pencoed, allowing the level crossing to be closed.

Meanwhile the metro enhancement framework includes developing the Maesteg to Bridgend to Porthcawl to Cardiff corridor as part of a pipeline of future transport projects being delivered. The plans include a purpose-built bus station in Porthcawl, known as the Porthcawl

Terminus, which would serve as a park and ride between Porthcawl and Pyle station.

Bridgend County Borough Council leader Huw David who is also chairman of the Cardiff Capital Region Transport Authority said: “This is excellent news – the grant represents a significant investment in our transportation and will allow us to proceed with confidence.

“I am also delighted that despite the challenges we have all faced over recent months that we continue to make such good progress on all our transport programmes.

“Every single local authority area will benefit from transport infrastructure improvements from Bridgend in the west to Monmouthshire in East, in our cities and in our valleys so it is vital we sustain momentum across the whole portfolio of transport initiatives.”

The Metro Plus programme was initially agreed in March 2019 where Cardiff Capital Region City Deal, in collaboration with Welsh Government and Transport for Wales, identified a proposed £50m programme of local transport schemes to support the implementation of the South Wales Metro.

Kellie Beirne, director of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal said: “This portfolio of transport indicatives’ is fundamental to our ambition to create a truly connected, competitive, resilient region.

“I am delighted we have been able to secure the LTF funding award, and at the levels of collaboration we are continuing to experience despite the immense challenges being faced by everyone.

“It is a testament to the hard work, commitment and dedication of everyone involved that we continue to be able to report such positive progress.”