Plans for new train stations in South Wales take step forward

The infrastructure proposed in a new business case could make the delivery of six new stations a reality

Six brand new train stations in south Wales have taken a major step forward after plans for infrastructure work needed to allow their development were submitted for approval. The railway upgrades between Cardiff Central and Severn Tunnel Junction are said to make the new stations “a reality”.

Network Rail Wales and Borders has submitted the full business case for the South Wales Relief Line Upgrade which will see increased speeds of up to 100mph, track infrastructure improvements and increased rail access.

The plans have now been submitted to the UK Government Department for Transport and will allow trains running on the relief lines between Cardiff Central and Severn Tunnel Junction to run at increased speeds.

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The lines are currently being mainly used by freight services but the improvements would allow passenger services to also use them at no extra time. It would also mean freight trains could travel at increased speeds.

Work is necessary to allow the proposed development of up to six new stations, namely Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern, Magor and Undy, and Cardiff Parkway. The much-talked-about stations would improve local connectivity and allow more communities to access rail travel.

Nick Millington, route director for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “By increasing the speed and capability of the relief lines between Cardiff and Severn Tunnel Junction, we can create the capacity needed to support new passenger services and unlock the proposed new stations along this route.”

The Chair of Transport for Wales, Vernon Everitt, called it a “major step” in their ambition to bring new stations to south east Wales. He said the improvements would make the proposed stations a reality by increasing capacity through higher line speeds.

The scheme is part of a wider programme of investment in Welsh railways which builds on the UK Government’s recent commitment to progress rail improvements across the region.

In February, Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave his backing to a wish list of projects set out in a new vision document from Transport for Wales.

This included providing the finance to deliver the six new stations between Cardiff and the Severn Tunnel, as well as a new station at Deeside which will increase services between north Wales and Merseyside.