Energlyn Station
I had the opportunity last week to visit the new Energlyn railway station which is under construction and scheduled to be open before the end of the year. It
has been a long time coming but I was very impressed by progress.
It will certainly improve transport links between the north of the town and Cardiff and prove popular with both shoppers and commuters from Churchill Park, Energlyn and Penyrheol, who will be able to let the train take the strain shortly.
Residents living closest to the station, such as at Llwyn On Street – incidentally where Tommy Cooper was born – and Llwyn On Close, have been kept informed of progress, a coffee morning for local people was organised and some were even involved in a litter pick along the railway line in which three skips of rubbish were collected.
My own aunt lives on Llwyn On Close and she is looking forward to make use of the station to get to Cardiff.
The two streets plus Gelli Dawel and Court Road are pretty full in terms of parking and as a ward councillor, as well as an Assembly Member, I would ask residents to monitor the situation once the station opens.
If there are issues in terms of commuters parking in the streets then as ward members we may need to raise the issue of resident parking bays but we first we have to see if there are any problems.
I hope many rail travellers also will take the opportunity of walking to the station rather than try and park their car at the station.
Tour of Britain
The likes of Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish will be back in town when the Tour of Britain race rides into Caerphilly tomorrow (Thursday). It is the third year it has visited the county borough with the riders entering the area at Deri and moving down the valley.
It brings huge excitement, plenty of crowds and some tough cycling even for elite riders with the climbs up Caerphilly Mountain.
I’m proud that as a Plaid Cymru administration, we secured the stopping off point for this fantastic event in Caerphilly. It’s an event not to miss.
Lindsay Whittle
Plaid Cymru South Wales East AM
The harsh reality is that few will use the new station once it is open.
Real term wages are falling and train fares are increasing. With the current trend, passenger numbers are only going to go in one direction…DOWN!
Progress on the station is coming along well and I'm sure it will be used by residents living in Churchill Park and Energlyn. I dont think Dean will be proved right when he says passenger numbers are only going to go down. Passenger numbers have increased at Caerphilly Station in recent years and there is demand for rail travel.
I do agree with dean on his other points though. Fare increases are far exceding increases in average earnings. Also, fare increases along the Rhymney Line have gone up alot more than the RPI + 1% (Wales average) over the last 8 or 9 years. A fare freeze in 2014 / 15 along this particular route would help re – dress the situation.
A very rare thing indeed in Caerphilly, a local Councillor who has asked for engagement with his constituents, and, one who expresses his wish, and, issues an invitation to the residents to engage with him, almost unheard of, until of course two young, (new, in terms of service as Councillors) local Labour Councillors, Councillor James Pritchard and Councillor Gareth Pratt, recently set the bar on such matters and undertook a survey of their constituents, and, any other resident or Councillor who felt they had a view, on the future of the old Caerphilly Library, Very interesting to note that it appears NO PLAID CYMRU Councillors hold a view on this matter except one, Councillor Mike Prew who has proved he is out of step with his Councillor Colleagues in the town by engaging in that consultation process.
At least Lindsay is now showing his Plaid Cymru Colleagues that they must consult and engage with the communities they represent. Wuill they learn from him, I doubt it, and for that reason the Auditor General for Wales is on the verge of appointing local government Commissioners to run the Caerphilly Council, due mainly, to the lack of consultation and engagement Councillors and the council have with the communities of the borough.
Dean, try to be positive please. You appear to be always full of criticism. The reality (NOT harsh) is that the new railway station will prove to be popular and rail commuters are increasing in numbers.
James Pritchard, yes fares have increased and that is how new railway stations and rolling stock are paid for. How else are they to be paid for – borrow?
The cost of maintenance on the Valleys Lines is higher than in many parts of the country due to the high rainfall causing land slippage coupled with tunnel upkeep; the tunnel between Caerphilly and Cardiff to name just one.
Railways? Nationalise the whole shooting match. Much better railways in France, reliable, cheap fares and comfortable. This makes them attractive and the quieter roads makes driving a pleasure too.
Probably a far too radical view for any potential government who will continue to heavily subsidise a private industry that delivers a sub standard service.
I may be full of doom and gloom but I m only stating the facts. Passenger flow through certain stations is up but passengers on the aural trains is slightly declining. Some stations are becoming popular and some less popular.
Also, what's there to be upbeat about when we have a council that wastes more money than the MoD, the EU and lefties in control at Cardiff Bay?
On a serious note, I fully support nationalising the railways as I do with energy companies. A nationalised British Railways would have to be ran at arms length on a similar basis as the BBC or Royal Mail (keep that state owned too) I would not want an NHS style railway company.
Someone tell Dean that Railways were de-nationalised by his Tory friends.
But, I dont hear much support from them now to re-nationalise them????
I know Derrick, but generally supporting a party doesn't mean that you need to support everything they do.
Richard, "Nationalise the whole shooting match" and who would pick up the bill at the end of the day? Nationalisation is wonderful in theory, just like Communist dogma, but I ( and probably you but you will not admit it) have been in the laid back world of Government owned businesses where the term "I'm all right Jack" came before "What can I do to improve things?"
Clive we pick up the bill already to the tune of several billion pounds annually. Worldwide experience shows that large rail networks are always subsidised by government. They do this for very good reasons, public interest, the national economy, environmental and to reduce road congestion. My argumment is not against subsidy it is against the wasteful use of resources that occured under privatisation whereby the tracks and signalling is one company and the train operators are other, separate, companies. The arguments in favour of nationalisation are strong, as Dean agrees.
On my work history why should I not admit anything? I am puzzled by this statement. Just for the record I spent thirteen years in the coal industry (public sector), eighteen years in the private sector which included Smith & Nephew, Nokia, Jamont, Georgia Pacific and Koch Industries. I have spent the last five years running a small business with stints of part time work for other private firms. This I think gives me a good working knowledge of state run, private and small business. I look forward to reading your resume in these pages.