Cardiff Parkway station taking a step closer to being a reality.
A new south Wales park and ride mainline train station with a major business district, which could eventually provide up to three million sq ft of new office space accommodating at least 5,000 workers, is on track to open in 2022.
It comes after the Welsh Government, along with financial services giant Investec and entrepreneurs Nigel and his son Andrew Roberts, have set up a holding company, South Wales Infrastructure Ltd (SWIL), to deliver the proposed Cardiff Parkway train station on the south Wales to London rail line at St Mellons located between Cardiff and Newport.
It is understood that the Welsh Government has taken an 10% equity stake in the business and committed a first tranche £5m funding to support the project through an outline planning application, which is expected to be determined this summer. The aim is for the station to become operational in the summer of 2022.
Investec is investing on the same terms as the Welsh Government.
Subject to planning consent work on the new park and ride train station, which will also provide up to 2,000 car parking spaces, is expected to start early next year.
While it would require agreement to be timetabled as part of the next Great Western Mainline ral franchise, SWIL is confident of Cardiff Parkway being included as a future stop on south Wales to Paddington services.
The terms of the franchise will be set by the UK Government.
It is also looking, although again a non-devolved rail franchise, to be dedicated stop on south Wales to Temple Meads rail station in Bristol rail services.
There are calls for the current just under once a hour service from south Wales to Temple Meads to be significantly increased to four an hour. This would support efforts to increase economic ties between south Wales and the south west of England, something which Secretary of State of Wales Alun Cairns has been promoting.
Through its investment the Welsh Government will also have a stake in the project’s proposed business district at the 160 acre local development plan site, which over the long-term could see up to three million sq ft of new grade A office space built,
The project, which was first revealed two years ago and which since had been undertaking detailed pre-planning work, as well discussions with Network Rail, would be the first mainly privately funded railway station in Wales going back to rail nationalisation.
The station and business district is aiming to secure 12 train services an hour (24 in and out, including two to London and four to Temple Meads.
During its first phase it would see:
• A new station with retail space built over the four electrified lines, which would utilise the existing two relief lines.
• up to 2,000 car parking spaces.
300,000 sq ft of new grade A speculative office space, framing an impressive public square realm
• Four platforms long enough to service trains with 12 carriages.
• Significant upgrade of roads into the site.
Longer-term the aim is for 160 acres of former farmland, which has been designated by Cardiff Council in its local development plan, to develop up to three million square ft of office space. which could accommodate businesses and organisations employing at least 5,000.
With turn-up-and-go rail services to Cardiff Central of just eight minutes, it would be marketed not only as an extension of the centre of Cardiff, but a major destination in its own right.
Chair of SWIL, Nigel Roberts said: “We are delighted to be working closely with Welsh Government on this transformational project alongside Investec who have shown such confidence in this major investment into Wales that will have such a positive impact for the capital region.
"Public transport only works when you make it the transport of choice and we will make this a great customer experience. We acknowledge the enthusiasm for the project from Network Rail and all of the wider stakeholders.”
He added: “With our objective of 12 train services an hour, both in and out, including those to Bristol and London, we see the business district as being a major new investment magnet for the wider Cardiff Capital Region, bringing thousands of new jobs and investors attracted by being at the heart of a major new transport hub.
“While attracting business investment, we will also position Cardiff Parkway and its business district, as a destination in its own right with leisure, restaurant and entertainment provision potential too.
“For people living in St Mellons, and other nearby communities such as Marshfield, it will also provide a turn-up-and-go rail services, which will take passengers into the centre of Cardiff in just eight minutes, with similar journey times into Newport.
“Currently the only public transport option for the 32,000-plus residents of St Mellons is bus. And with increasing road congestion, buses from St Mellons to the centre of Cardiff can take nearly an hour.”
Mr Roberts said the park and ride capacity would also support Cardiff’s hosting of major events, as well as supporting its clean air strategy.
He added: “The park and ride facility will allow those attending concerts or rugby internationals to use the park and ride offer on major event days, so easing traffic congestion into the city itself.”
Mr Roberts said if the Welsh Government decides to build a new M4 Relief Road, the proposed route only half a mile away would further enhance the station’s status as a major integrated transport interchange hub.
He said: ”This really has to been seen not as an out of town development, but very much an extension of the centre of Cardiff. It needs to be seen in the context of connectivity of the London Underground where the journey times between Oxford Circus and St Paul’s is just the same as what it will to travel by train from Cardiff Parkway to Cardiff Central.”
Mr Roberts said there could also potentially be a rapid bus service for delegates attending events at the £83m convention centre (ICC Wales), which opens this summer at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport.
Economy and Transport Minister Ken Skates said: “This is an exciting project which we at Welsh Government are very pleased to be a part of. It’s an excellent example of Government and the private sector coming together to look at how best we can deliver better rail infrastructure whilst also creating high quality jobs. As well as the obvious day to day benefits for commuters, this will also help to manage congestion and reduce air and noise pollution in central Cardiff whilst dramatically improving access by public transport for those in St Mellons area.
“It will also serve as an important facility for the increasing number of major events being attracted to our capital city and the surrounding area. It really is a development of huge potential.”
David van der Walt, chief executive of Investec added: “We are convinced that the development will become a key hub in the regional economy and an important piece of the civic fabric.
“This endorsement of the strategic significance of the scheme by our new partner is a great boost for the project team to raise the tempo and help the company realise its vision and deliver its benefits without delay. Investec welcomes Welsh government to the joint venture
SWIL has been advised by Arup, Blake Morgan, Burges Salmon, DLA Piper, Gleeds, HGH Consulting, Knight Frank, KPMG, SLC Rail and Wilkinson Eyre Architects.