Council starts talks over new bus link to hospital
SINCE The Grange hospital opened in Cwmbran in November 2020, patients living in Caerphilly borough have struggled to access it.
The purpose-built hospital based in Llanfrechfa became the new home of accident and emergency (A&E) and intensive care for people living across Gwent and south Powys.
It replaced two existing A&E departments within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board – the Royal Gwent in Newport and Nevill Hall in Abergavenny. Both facilities became minor injury units.
Opening four months ahead of schedule to help with the second coronavirus wave, the new £350m “super hospital” was designed to centralise emergency services to maintain a safe standard of care while the health board battled an increased population, increased demand for services and a UK-wide shortage of doctors and nurses.
But for many living in Caerphilly borough, access to the A&E has felt far from streamlined.
At present, those living in Caerphilly basin have to travel around 40 minutes by road or up to two hours on public transport to get to The Grange, despite being far closer to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
The situation is very much the same for those living in Bargoed and Aberbargoed, who live just a short distance from Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.
In August, Aneurin Bevan health board said there were no plans to establish a direct bus route between Caerphilly and The Grange despite concerns raised by residents.
But now the deputy leader of Caerphilly council James Pritchard has confirmed that talks have started between the council, the health board, Transport for Wales and other agencies to try and create a bus link.
At a full meeting of Caerphilly County Council, Cllr Pritchard said discussions were ongoing to introduce a bus route through Nelson, Ystrad Mynach, Blackwood, Pontllanfraith, Newbridge and Crumlin.
He said: “I’ve been engaged in constructive talks with the Aneurin Bevan health board Transport for Wales, bus operators, officers of the council, and the Senedd Member for Caerphilly who approached me and my capacity to discuss potential bus services to The Grange University Hospital.
“These talks are still at a preliminary stage, but Transport for Wales have supplied myself and all parties around the table with an indicative map they’re considering.
“While discussions are still at an early stage, I can confirm that a potential cross-valley route through Nelson, Ystrad Mynach, Blackwood, Pontllanfraith, Newbridge and Crumlin is being considered.”
Though this is promising news for those living in the centre of the borough, it still leaves out those living around Caerphilly basin in the south of the borough, and those living near Rhymney and Bargoed in the north of the borough.
The only current option for people living in these areas – and other parts of the borough – is to continue getting a bus to Newport before changing route to the Grange.
Cllr Pritchard told the meeting: “I can confirm that the number 29 Newport bus runs from Friars Walk in Newport to The Grange University Hospital.