Pontypool and New Inn Train Station Could Open Very Soon

Hey, listen to this about the train station. Pontypool and New Inn station had a project start in March 2022. It cost £7.1 million. They are building a new car park there. The opening date is likely delayed. It might open close to the project’s three-year mark.

The Torfaen Borough Council gave an update. They hope to open the car park soon and want to open it within the next few weeks. This is what they said about it.

The council, Welsh Government, and Cardiff City Region funded it. A 140-space car park got built. It is between the station and A4042. It aims to be a park-and-ride spot for the South Wales Metro.

The goal is to improve Cardiff travel and help people from Pontypool. Boosting the local economy is another goal. They also want to reduce road traffic.

The car park was due in summer 2023. It faced many delays, though bureaucratic issues caused some. It has been a real struggle.

Anthony Hunt spoke back in December noting everyone’s frustration. He thought it would open in early 2025. He said they are working hard on costs.

They hoped to open the car park in January, however, it is not open yet. It is February now and the area is closed off. Drivers cannot access the station, but the rail station is still open.

The council expected completion in summer 2024. However, additional work pushed back the opening happening in autumn, which caused a longer delay.

They needed to fix the platform by regrading and resurfacing it. The council said this would address old issues, even though the original date was back in summer 2023.

A footbridge got installed in March of that year. More work continued until autumn though, which meant more wait time. People have been asking about this process.

Monmouthshire councillors spoke in December 2023. They thought the station would open in May 2024. They are close to the border of Pontypool and the work looked like it was already done.

Christian Schmidt spoke about the issue in December 2023. He said permissions are not in place. He is Monmouthshire’s transport manager.

He understood the key work completed, but explained late changes were made. These need approval before opening which he claims explains the main delays.

Network Rail did safety checks then. The Office of Rail and Road talked to the council and said they needed more information to approve the plan.

Michele Mitchell gave an update this week. She said the process took longer, but she submitted the required data now. She expects approval soon.