CardiffWalesMap

Yeah, this was called in last year and was a bit unexpected, particularly as the WG have invested in the scheme.

Assume it will be allowed, maybe with some small changes. The concern is how long they're going to take to make a decision.

Grand Union trains will call there and they start in 2 years time, seems unlikely it will be ready for then.

Media have really picked up this story recently. Rumors of Rolls Royce creating thousands of jobs at the business park. Hopefully the TFW plans for new stations and (crucially) services on the SWML will influence the review a little. It didn't look like the station was due to receive a particularly high frequency service before these plans were announced, with most if not all intercity trains skipping it. With potentially 3/4tph between CDF & BRS serving it (not to mention stations in north Bristol and along the SWML) there will be a significant increase in the population able to reliably commute to Cardiff Parkway. Also increased frequencies will help with transfers from SWM at Central station. Essentially the business park starts to make a lot more sense - especially from an environmental perspective as good train connections will mean a smaller increase in traffic volumes. With it being an environmental review though it will probably take a lot more than this to pass, nevertheless I'm quietly optimistic.

There are currently 6 tph between Cardiff Central and Newport inc local, regional and intercity services.

With introduction of additional metro services and additional union rail services this could increase to 10 or more in the near future. I Assume that all metro services and Bristol regional services will stop there - but not intercity - question marks around Union rail & Cross country services - there could easily be 6 tph stopping here - making it a very viable commuter station.

I'm hoping the barely moving cogs of the Welsh Government don't make this review delay the project for another year. This is very important for transport in east Cardiff as well as the Cardiff & south east Wales economy.

If this fails to get made it sets a very worrying presendent for the future of Cardiff and Wales as a wider whole. I fear if it does it sends signals that Wales is a overly Beauruecratic nation with small business ambition