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Wednesday 23 Sep 2015

Work continues to improve Port Talbot Parkway station for passengers and local community

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Network Rail’s transformation of Port Talbot Parkway station continues this weekend as the installation of a new bridge begins.

David Rees AM and Stephen Kinnock MP visited the station ahead of the bridge lift to see how the striking new enclosed footbridge will give passengers more room and a better travelling experience at the station.

The bridge will house a new ticket office, waiting areas, customer facilities, information points and CCTV equipment, as well as steps and lift access to all platforms. The bridge will also help join communities together by providing better step-free access to the public across Port Talbot.

The steelwork in the new bridge will weigh 400 tonnes - the same weight as 58 African elephants.

One of the largest cranes in the UK will be used to lift sections of the bridge into place. The crane will be located on Cramic Way and, in order to carry out this work safely, the road will be temporarily closed:

• From 9pm on Saturday 26 until 12pm on Sunday 27 September.
• From 5pm on Saturday 3 until 12pm on Sunday 4 October.

There will also be some disruption to late evening Saturday and early morning Sunday train services on the weekends of the 26/27 September and 3/4 October. Bus replacement services will be in operation and passengers are advised to check before they travel using nationalrail.co.uk or train operating company websites.

The work has been scheduled to take place over the weekend to cause the minimum amount of disruption to passengers and road users.

Gareth Woodruff, senior commercial scheme sponsor for Network Rail Wales, said: “Revitalising Port Talbot Parkway gives the community a station they can be proud of and also acts as a catalyst for further regeneration in the area, helping to boost the economy locally in the long term.

 “We are installing a new bridge which will provide an accessible route for everyone from the station entrance right through to the platforms.

“I’d like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience while we carry out this improvement work, which will create lasting improvements for passengers.”

David Rees, Assembly Member for Aberavon, said: “It’s great to see the progress now being made on the railway station.  I congratulate a strong local campaign to ensure the development of a fully accessible 21st century station for rail travellers in Port Talbot and we should see this come to fruition by the end of the year. 

“Over the next two weekends local people will see major elements being lifted into place and the new structure becoming a reality. The new station will be the centre piece of a transport hub that will connect our public transport services and improve journeys for the public.”

Stephen Kinnock, MP for Aberavon, said: "You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and our railway station has been due a makeover for many years. I am therefore absolutely delighted that this important project is nearing completion. The new bridge will provide a valuable service to travellers and will prove a great asset to our town."

Some amenities at the station have already been improved, including an updated waiting room and new toilets with baby changing facilities and disabled access. A new information hub gives passengers easy access to a dedicated customer information office where staff can offer assistance.  

There will also be a 111-space car park with a park and ride for commuters and better facilities for cyclists, bus passengers and taxis.

Port Talbot Parkway remains open during construction and workers have done everything possible to minimise disruption.

The £11.4m regeneration project at Port Talbot Parkway station is being carried out as part of the Wales Station Improvement Scheme. The work is being funded by the European Regional Development Fund, Welsh Government, Department for Transport, Network Rail, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Arriva Trains Wales. 

Members of the public who have any questions about the project should call Network Rail’s 24-Hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or email CRWales@networkrail.co.uk.