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New 'job creating' rail station finally approved

Huw Thomas
Business correspondent, BBC Wales•huwthomas
Cardiff Parkway Developments A computer-generated image of the proposed Cardiff Parkway stationCardiff Parkway Developments
A business park will accompany the four-platform station in the St Mellons area of Cardiff

Plans to build a new mainline railway station in eastern Cardiff have been approved by Wales' first minister.

The developers behind Cardiff Parkway had been waiting for a decision after the original planning application was called in for review by the Welsh government in October 2022.

Eluned Morgan confirmed she was granting planning permission in a letter sent to Cardiff Parkway Developments, which is overseeing the project in the St Mellons area, which the council leader said will boost transport and bring "economic growth and job creation".

The Welsh government said a "statutory challenge period" meant it could not comment further.

Cardiff Parkway will include a railway station with four platforms and a business park.

Developers had hoped the station would be operational by 2024, but the planning process was dogged by delays.

Plans were approved by Cardiff council in April 2022, but the broader national interest in the project led the Welsh government to review the application.

As Cardiff Parkway plans are approved, BBC Wales asks city centre commuters what they think

Earlier this month, Cardiff's Labour council leader, Huw Thomas, criticised the "inexplicable" and "indefensible" time taken by the Welsh government to make a decision.

The Welsh government has a minority stake in the organisation, with the majority controlled by Investec and the Roberts family.

A formal period has now begun in which a legal challenge can follow planning decisions like this.

A Welsh government spokesperson said: "The reasons for the decision are set out in full in the decision letter. We cannot comment further while the statutory challenge period is in place."

Ruth Grant who has short white hair and is wearing a bright pink jacket. She is stood on a pavement with grass, trees, a road with cars and houses in the background.
Ruth Grant says there have been discussions about a rail station for the area for more than 30 years

Ruth Grant, who lives near to the site, said she thought the plans were "great".

"When I first moved up here they said that we'd have that, and that was 30 years ago," she added.

"It'll also be useful to have more shops, there's none really down my end of town."

Lindsey Gage agreed the new rail station would make travel "so much easier" for local residents like her.

"It will definitely cut down travel time to the centre," she said.

"It can take up to 50 minutes for us at the moment, so it's a good thing."

Martha Mhepo who has braided dark hair and is wearing a green coat and grey scarf. She is stood in front of a brick wall. next to a car park.
Martha Mhepo says she hopes the new development will bring more people to the area

Martha Mhepo said she hoped the development would bring more people to the area, but Alan Hillman worried it would "ruin the environment" in the local area.

"I also don't think it'll pay for itself and there's only one road in and out there which is already congested as it is," said Mr Hillman.

"This development won't give enough benefits to the area for what it would cost."

Cardiff Parkway Developments A computer generated image showing a green train at the proposed Cardiff Parkway stationCardiff Parkway Developments
Cardiff Parkway Developments says it will produce a "programme for delivery" before construction work begins

Nigel Roberts, chairman of Cardiff Parkway Developments, said the project would be "a sustainable, well-connected business district with public transport and active travel at its heart".

He said it would "bring opportunities to our local communities, the city region and the wider economy", and thanked residents and the Welsh government for backing the plans.

Cardiff Parkway Developments said the station and the 60,000 sq ft business park "could support up to 6,000 jobs" and would provide a sustainable transport hub for eastern Cardiff.

The team will now draw up "a programme for delivery".

Cardiff has 20 railway stations, but none are located in the east of the city.

The CF3 postcode area, serving the eastern suburbs of St Mellons, Trowbridge, Rumney and Llanrumney, is home to more than 40,000 people.

Bus journeys from St Mellons to Cardiff city centre can take up to one hour, compared with a 25-minute car journey, but a train service could mean journey times of just seven minutes.

Getty Images Huw Thomas, a dark haired man in a navy suit wearing a red rosette, stands in front of a large sign that says Caerdydd CardiffGetty Images
Cardiff Council leader Huw Thomas had previously criticised his Labour colleagues in the Welsh government for "inexplicable" delays to the project

Thomas said he was "delighted" by the decision to approve the project.

He said Cardiff Parkway would "significantly improve our transport infrastructure, leading to economic growth and job creation" across the city and the wider region.

"With journey times between Cardiff and Newport reduced to just seven minutes, more than 800,000 passengers a year could benefit once this is up and running," he added.

"This project will help tackle traffic congestion from the east of Cardiff providing a game-changing public transport option for a part of the city which has suffered for far too long with connection issues.

"Additionally, sustainable transport options like cycle paths and walking routes will promote a greener, healthier lifestyle."