Bridgend Council’s Cabinet will be updated on progress made in delivering the county’s strategic transport projects (pdf).
The shortlisted projects will be included in future discussions with the Welsh Government, Cardiff Capital Region and rail authorities.
Some projects will be reported on separately because the updates are more significant.
Walking & cycling: Pen-y-fai improvements top of the list
Local authorities are now only allowed to submit bids for one “main” active travel capital project each year.
For the 2025-26 round, BCBC has selected the first phase of walking & cycling improvements at Pen-y-fai. This will include an upgraded crossing at the petrol station junction and the first elements of an upgraded walking/cycling path linking the village to Bridgend town centre along Tondu Road.
Projects prioritised for further development work include:
- Recently revealed plans for improved walking & cycling facilities in and around Brackla and Coity tied to the new Ysgol Bro Ogwr.
- The second phase of the Pen-y-fai to Bridgend link.
- A cross-town walking and cycling route in Porthcawl.
Plans for a walking/cycling route along the A4061 between the Brackla roundabout and the Coity Road gyratory have been dropped in favour of the Ysgol Bro Ogwr projects – which will include improved links to/from Bridgend town centre between Princess Way and Tremains Road.
Minor active travel works include improvements along the A48 between the Picton Gardens roundabout and the Ewenny roundabout, as well as dropped kerb schemes county-wide.
There are big updates concerning the Merlin Crescent project in Bryntirion and the Garw Valley Community route – more in the links above.
Other active travel projects/routes that remain on the long-term wishlist (subject to feasibility studies, funding bids etc.) include:
- South Cornelly-Porthcawl
- Porthcawl-Bridgend (via A4106)
- Ewenny Road Roundabout-Laleston Roundabout (A48)
- Walking/cycling links between Bridgend railway station and the new Bridgend College campus
- Replacement Merthyr Mawr Road footbridge (the white bridge opposite Bridgend Fire Station)
- Pencoed-Llanharan
- Maesteg-Bridgend
No progress on rail projects
Brackla station was mentioned, but you would need to be optimistic to expect any changes. It hasn’t been included in Transport for Wales’ (TfW) long-term plans, though there are vague ambitions for a pedestrian and cycle bridge linking Brackla to Bridgend Industrial Estate.
Similarly, proposals for improved bus interchange facilities at Bridgend railway station are mentioned but with little detail.
There’s a quiet acceptance that proposals to relocate Pyle railway station – in part linked to a major LDP housing development – will be difficult to deliver. It was estimated to cost £20million in 2020 (and is likely to cost a lot more now). There’s no funding for design work or land purchases, so short-term measures to improve the existing Pyle station will be considered until the project can be delivered.
While the Pencoed level crossing closure/replacement Penprysg Road bridge also makes an appearance, there’s not much that’s new there either.
BCBC were unsuccessful in bidding for UK Government Levelling Up funding, which has put the scheme on hold until a solution can be found. TfW is considering improvements to Pencoed station as an interchange, but that’s likely to mean the level crossing remaining in place for the foreseeable future.
The only rail project that’s made any (sort of) progress is the proposed park and ride at Maesteg Ewenny Road station (which is part of a wider regeneration project). It’s currently still being “studied” by the relevant authorities….if you count that as progress.
