Works to create 310 parking spaces at Abercynon Railway Station
The main construction phase of the Abercynon Park and Ride extension will begin next week, to provide a total of 310 new parking spaces serving the Railway Station from spring 2019.
The £1.2m project, to revitalise derelict land at Navigation Park, was granted planning permission by the Council’s Planning and Development Committee on October 18. In April 2018, the Council secured £787,000 from Welsh Government’s Local Transport Fund towards the major project, and shared its plans with residents and businesses in a public exhibition during August.
Advanced works to construct 14 parking bays on the Navigation Park estate road, ahead of the main scheme, have recently been completed. The Council’s contractor has also set up its site compound area, in readiness to start. The main construction phase will now begin on Monday, November 19, with the first element of the works comprising site clearance and earthworks.
The first phase of the Abercynon Park and Ride Scheme was a major boost to commuters when it was delivered in 2010. It provided more than 150 parking spaces built on then-derelict land east of the train station, and it was linked to Navigation Park with a bridge over the river. In October 2017, the Council installed an additional 11 spaces at the station in a £24,000 investment.
The development will alleviate parking problems at Abercynon Railway Station, and significantly improve public transport provision for the village. It will close the two existing site entrances to provide a single, two-way access, while creating 289 standard vehicle spaces, seven disabled spaces and 15 motorcycle spaces. A new bus stop will also be installed at the railway station.
The project will primarily takes place off the highway, requiring minimal traffic management. There will be some work in the existing car park, while a new road crossing is required on the access road – and advanced notice will be given for this work. Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd is the Council’s contractor for the project.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways, said: “I’m pleased the main construction element for Phase Two of the Abercynon Park and Ride Scheme will get underway shortly – and the project will introduce more than 300 new parking spaces for Abercynon Railway Station, to meet demand.
“This is one of 10 Park and Ride schemes being explored across the County Borough, after a report was put before Cabinet last year outlining the results of a review into 19 railway stations. These projects outline a combined 600-plus new parking spaces created across Rhondda Cynon Taf, with around half of these being delivered in the major scheme at Abercynon.
“Encouraging more people to use public transport each day is very important – it helps the environment, reduces journey times and relieves congestion on our roads. The South Wales Metro will bring huge improvements for rail services and infrastructure by 2023, and providing more parking at our stations will increase commuters’ access to the new-look Valleys lines.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the project in Abercynon progress in the coming months, as the large derelict space at Navigation Park is brought back into use by the Council thanks to a significant Welsh Government contribution.”
