Work will shortly begin to construct the Porth Transport Hub and deliver a modern integrated bus and rail interchange for the town – with initial site setup beginning next week and full delivery on course for next year.
Located at the existing railway station, the development consists of a modern and attractive transport hub at the heart of the Town Centre, which will provide seamless travel across bus and rail. The project also includes EV charging points, a taxi rank, cycle stores and local Active Travel network upgrades.
The Council has recently secured £3.5m from the UK Government towards the hub’s delivery, announced in the Levelling Up Fund during October 2021.
The appointed contractor to deliver the scheme is Encon Construction Ltd, and the construction phase will begin from Monday, January 17 – starting with initial site setup. The contractor has advised that all site activity will be undertaken from 8am to 6pm on weekdays, and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. The construction phase is scheduled to be completed during spring 2023.
Site traffic will gain access along Porth Street and Station Street, and there will be a significant presence of construction workers and machinery at the site – which will accept regular delivery of materials. This will result in an increase in construction traffic travelling through Porth Town Centre.
Operations at the existing railway platform will continue as normal, but the footbridge across to the southbound platform will be closed for the duration of the development. Train station users should follow signposted directions. The contractor will be writing to local residents and businesses shortly to introduce themselves, explain the project and provide contact details for the site.
Councillor Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing, said: “These are very exciting times for the delivery of the modern Porth Transport Hub – with the start of the construction phase now confirmed, following on very quickly from the Council securing £3.5m funding for the project and the appointment of a contractor.
“The transport hub is the central project for the wider Porth Regeneration Strategy. It will use the town’s position as a gateway to the Rhondda Fach and Rhondda Fawr, while also taking advantage of the increased frequency of train services which will be delivered by the South Wales Metro from 2024. By bringing together rail and bus services, an improved public transport provision will help residents access local services, employment and housing functions.
“The wider Regeneration Strategy has brought together a number of important local projects – from converting the Porth Plaza into a Community Hub, extending the Park and Ride provision, delivering public realm upgrades, helping landlords and businesses carry out shop-front enhancements through the Town Centre Maintenance Grant, and providing free public-access Wi-Fi.
“I’m pleased that construction of the Porth Transport Hub will start next week, with site setup beginning on Monday. The Council will work closely with its contractor to minimise disruption to the community – including the likelihood for increased construction traffic through the town centre – while we deliver significant public transport improvements to benefit the town into the future.”
Cabinet Members approved the proposals for the Porth Transport Hub in 2019 following an extensive consultation process, and full planning permission was received in March 2021. Three buildings (Alec Jones Day Centre, Barclays Bank and Porth Farm Surgery) have been demolished to prepare the site.
