Construction work for a state-of-the-art bus facility, based at the heart of Porthcawl’s regeneration area alongside the Portway and Salt Lake car park, started last month.
The Metro Plus project will form part of the wider Metro Plus programme, which aims to improve public transport links across the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) in south-east Wales.
The new bus facility will include four bays, a covered station building, space for a kiosk, as well as various environmental enhancements, including a ‘green roof’, rain garden, outdoor seating areas and associated highway works.
The contractors for the project are already establishing links with the community. Local schools and colleges have been contacted by the company, with the aim to deliver ‘Education and STEM’ from September. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education is about exposure to a STEM subject, with real-world learning, where the learner can apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems. The company has also invested in several vital charities in the Porthcawl area.
Rob O’ Dwyer, Head of Infrastructure in the CCR, said: “Cardiff Capital Region are delighted to collaborate with Bridgend County Borough Council on this exciting transport project. This project is part of a £50m Metro Plus programme designed to support the creation of an integrated transport system, funded through the City Deal Programme in partnership with Welsh Government and UK Government.
“This investment will help transform the way passengers travel across the Bridgend area and provide much needed additional facilities that will lead to increased accessibility to public transport for all travellers across and between each area within the Cardiff Capital Region.
“This is also a crucial project in response to our climate emergency commitments and drive towards a sustainable travel infrastructure. We are sure this project will help better connect people across the region and deliver essential social and economic benefits for our communities”.
We are extremely excited at what the Metro Plus initiative will offer Porthcawl. It promises an inviting, modern space which aims to encourage local people, as well as visitors to Porthcawl, to use public transport.
By improving transport links through the Metro Plus scheme, we hope that people will be tempted to take advantage of this and make the most of the new accessibility to areas across south-east Wales. In doing so, promoting sustainability and helping to combat the current climate crisis, as well as contributing towards our net zero carbon target.
We are very grateful for funding for the scheme, provided by Cardiff Capital Region City Deal’s Metro Plus fund, the Welsh Government’s Local Transport Fund, and the council’s own Porthcawl Regeneration budget – allowing this vision to become a reality.
Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, Councillor John Spanswick
