Plans revealed for £40M transport hub in south Wales

Blueprints for a new £30M to 40M transport hub in Caerphilly, Wales have been revealed to the public.The plans would see a new joint bus interchange and train station constructed by 2025.Caerphilly County Borough Council is working alongside Transport for Wales and the Design Commission for Wales on the station which is part of the council’s 2035 regeneration project.So far, the plans include the demolition of the old ticket office above the railway station and replacement of the road bridge.The plans state the road and bridge are suffering from corrosion and the old ticket office “does not meet the sustainability ambitions for a new interchange building”.Caerphilly Council hopes the interchange will “transform the way people travel to and from Caerphilly” and “effortlessly connect people with trains, buses, taxis and active travel options”.It is further hoping the development will link with the £5M investment being made by the Welsh Government historic environment service Cadw into Caerphilly Castle, aiming to turn Caerphilly town into a major destination for tourists.A council spokesperson added: “It is only a 15 minute journey to the centre of Cardiff by train, and has an integrated bus and railway station that is located at a key gateway into the town.“The interchange is a key strength for the town, but currently the aesthetic appearance of the interchange and the surrounding uses provides a poor sense of arrival.”The old ticket office, which houses a number of businesses, is not listed by Cadw.Caerphilly County Borough Council leader councillor Sean Morgan said: “The Caerphilly Interchange project is one of several exciting developments that formulates the Caerphilly 2035 masterplan – our blueprint to transforming Caerphilly town centre.”A four-week consultation is currently being undertaken for the council to hear local residents’ views on the plans for the new interchange.Like what you’ve read?