Ystrad Mynach train station is to have a new footbridge and a lift to improve access for passengers.
Arriva Trains Wales has been successful in its Access for All bid to the Department of Transport to fund the scheme and the work is planned for completion by early 2014.
The scheme, costing £1,188, 268, will benefit the thousands of rail users who use the station every week.
The improved bridge will also feature a lift which will greatly improve accessibility for disabled people. A separate funding bid to the Welsh Government’s National Station Improvement Programme (NSIP+) is being prepared by the council, in conjunction with Sewta, that will deliver a number of other improvements to the station, including new passenger waiting facilities and ticket office and improved pedestrian access.
Cllr Rob Gough, cabinet member for transportation said: “This is great news for Ystrad Mynach and is a welcome boost for public transport in the county borough. There have been major improvements to the transport infrastructure across the area over recent years and developments like this will encourage more people to leave their cars at home and go for a greener, more sustainable mode of transport.”
At present disabled passengers wishing to get to the other side of the tracks have to travel up to Bargoed to use a lift.
Caerphilly’s Labour AM Jeff Cuthbert AM welcomed the funding.
He said: “I’m glad that many years of campaigning by local residents and station users has paid off, and that the disabled access improvements that the station so badly needs will now finally come to fruition.
“This shows that the Labour Welsh Government, working in conjunction with the Department for Transport and Arriva Trains Wales, is listening to local people and rail users who have been calling for such work to be done. I’m delighted that we’ve been able to deliver on this for the people of Ystrad Mynach.”
The improvements have also been welcomed by Conservative regional AM William Graham.