Conservative MS for South Wales Central, Andrew RT Davies, has called on Senedd ministers to fulfil promises for more frequent trains and improved rail infrastructure on the Vale of Glamorgan line, particularly a station at St Athan.
Mr Davies said: “The Vale of Glamorgan needs more trains.
“We also need more stations.
“Capacity still has not increased on the line between Cardiff, Barry and Bridgend.
“A much-needed new station at St Athan has not progressed.”
Mr Davies raised concerns that despite two proposed housing sites in St Athan under the Vale of Glamorgan Replacement Local Development Plan, neither Senedd ministers nor the new Labour government have progressed plans for a station in the village.
He described the situation as “unsustainable” and criticised what he called “arbitrary housing targets imposed on our communities by Plaid Cymru separatists and Labour.”
In response to the concerns, Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, confirmed that plans are underway to improve rail services and explore the feasibility of a new station.
He said: “We are committed to improving services on the Vale of Glamorgan line.
“Transport for Wales will increase the frequency of services between Cardiff and Bridgend to two trains per hour during peak times by the end of 2026.
“This will be followed by a full two trains per hour service on the line throughout the day once all the new trains have been successfully introduced in 2027.
“Transport for Wales has been allocated funding for an initial feasibility study into the potential for a new station at St Athan, with the work taking place in the 2026/27 financial year.”
The Welsh Government is investing £800 million in brand-new trains as part of their £1bn upgrade of the Core Valleys Line infrastructure to deliver the South Wales Metro.
Mr Davies argued that transport improvements must come before further development.
He said: “Senedd ministers talk of the opportunities brought by housebuilding, but this is unsustainable.
“But the village does not need inappropriate housing developments.
“It needs better transport links.”
