Energlyn and Churchill Park train station, on the Rhymney Valley line, was officially opened today (December 16) by the Minister for Transport Edwina Hart.
The £5.2 million station, funded by European Union and Welsh Government money, lies between Aber and Llanbradach and was opened last week. However not all services on the line stop there at present.
Economy and Transport Minister Mrs Hart, who arrived for the official opening by car, said: “This new station will help meet the growing demand for rail services in this area. We want to see more people use the train to access jobs and services. Our investment here and in other stations across Wales is evidence of our commitment to improving rail services and reducing reliance on the car.”
Mark Langman, Route Managing Director for Network Rail Wales, said: “More and more people now choose to travel by rail to get to and from work and to access leisure activities.
“The new station will ultimately have significant economic and social benefits for those living in the growing communities in the north Caerphilly area by improving access to jobs, education and training opportunities in Cardiff and elsewhere along the line.”
The new station forms part of a £220m Network Rail scheme to improve the Valley Lines Network and includes new platforms at Caerphilly and Tir-Phil stations.
As part of the same scheme, an upgrade of the signalling system operating on the Rhymney line was switched on in September.
The improvements are designed to cut congestion on the line and boost capacity.
Network Rail has forecast that the number of passengers travelling in the Cardiff and Valley areas will exceed 12m per year by the end of 2015.
Cllr Tom Williams Cabinet Member for Highways, Transportation and Engineering at Caerphilly County Borough Council, said: “This station is a huge step forward for the residents of and visitors to Caerphilly County Borough and it’s exciting to see it up and running. The county borough has seen a steady increase in passenger demand in recent years and a new station will cater for the growing communities just north of Caerphilly town – it’s a significant development for the area and one that is very welcome.”
Four trains pass through this station each day, but only two stop. All four trains stop at Aber Halt, and at Llanbradach. Why??
It’s not a “train station”! It’s a “Railway Station”!