At this week’s Cabinet meeting, members will be updated on Bridgend Council’s long-term strategic transport schemes (pdf).
The schemes would be prioritised for Section 106 contributions and future funding bids to the Cardiff City Region, Transport for Wales, Network Rail and Welsh Government.
Road Network
Penprysg Road Bridge & Level Crossing, Pencoed – As mentioned previously, a bid is being prepared for UK Government “levelling up” funding to close the Pencoed level crossing and provide two new bridges. One new bridge would deal with traffic bottlenecks at Penprysg Road/Penybont Road/Min-y-Nant and lead to the level crossing’s closure, while the second would provide a more accessible means for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the railway. A public consultation recently ended.
Junction 36, M4 – The junction is now believed to be at or exceeding design capacity, impacting economic and other developments in the valleys. “Major intervention” is said to be required and a detailed study is currently underway by the Welsh Government.
Active Travel/Walking & Cycling
Following recent public consultations, the final draft active travel plan for Bridgend will be submitted to the Welsh Government for approval this month.
There are two separate reports on this – the Cabinet report (pdf) and the pre-statutory report (pdf). The draft maps are included in the pre-statutory report but it doesn’t appear to be that different to the previous map.
Bus Services
Porthcawl Metrolink/Bus Station – A new bus station as part of the Porthcawl Harbourside regeneration scheme and the South Wales Metro. At the moment, the plans are to locate the new station at Portway. Construction could start as early as 2022.
Pyle-Porthcawl Bus Priority Measures – Linked to the Metrolink project, this would involve bus priority measures at junctions to improve travel times between Porthcawl and Pyle station as well as Porthcawl and Bridgend. No details on where/how yet.
Ogmore & Garw Valley Bus Rapid Transit – This could include electric/low-emission buses, dedicated lanes (particularly around Junction 36), junction priority and connections with local rail stations. The report adds that there’s “no scope to extend rail services into the Garw & Ogmore valleys”. It’s unclear how effective this would be when there’s only one main road in and out of both valleys – we’ll have to wait and see what they come up with.
Rail Services
Brackla Station – Yes, it’s still on the list. Brackla station was included in a rather vague Transport for Wales list of priorities till 2029. More realistically, BCBC intends to bid for funding to carry out a feasibility study for a foot/cycle bridge connecting Brackla to Bridgend Industrial Estate that “would bring benefits of its own” and act as a kickstarter for the station itself in the future. So there’s still an acceptance of sorts that it remains a long way off.
Pyle Station relocation – This forms part of the draft Local Development Plan. Pyle station would be moved a few hundred metres to the east (closer to Village Farm) to better connect it to the bus network, enable a larger park and ride and assist a proposed major development zone at Pyle.
Maesteg Ewenny Road Park & Ride – A new park and ride, electric vehicle charging facility, bike parking, taxi ranks and bus stops would be provided as part of a wider regeneration scheme at the former Cosi/Revlon factory site. Ground investigations and surveys have started.
Bridgend Railway Station enhancement – Forms part of the Bridgend town centre masterplan. This would include a new entrance and bus/rail interchange on Tremains Road and other facilities.
Bridgend Ford sidings – A strange one, but the report suggests that the Ford branch line could be brought back into use somehow (it’s unclear in what way but it’s just an aspiration for now) or form part of a wider regeneration proposal.
