St Athan 'snubbed' in spending review, says MS

Friday, 13 June 2025 14:15

A Senedd member says St Athan has been left out of railway plans for Wales following the Chancellor's spending review.

Rachel Reeves announced £445 million of funding for new Welsh rail projects - including five new stations in the South East.

They'll be situated in Cardiff East, Newport West, Llanwern, Somerton and Magor & Undy.

In February 2024, the then-Conservative UK Government pledged to work alongside Transport for Wales (TfW) and Vale of Glamorgan Council and offer funding to develop a business case for a new station.

But following Labour's victory at the general election last July, then-transport secretary Louise Haigh announced a review of their capital spending, essentially putting the plans on hold.

Last November, Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Lis Burnett said they remained committed to working towards a new station.

Former Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies, MS for South Wales Central, said: “Leaving St Athan out of plans for new rail is Wales is a snub to the Vale, and a huge missed opportunity."

“St Athan has seen massive development in recent years, and we need the infrastructure to catch up. Sadly, despite the wheels already being in motion to bring a station back to St Athan, the Chancellor has shelved the plans."

“This spending review was a chance to take the station forward and provide more links and more growth in our county."

“It’s high time that this government recognised that the Vale of Glamorgan is a crucial part of the south Wales economy that deserves investment.”

The former railway station, originally known as St Athan Holt was closed in June 1964, while the Vale of Glamorgan Line was reopened in 2005.

Currently, the closest stations for local residents are in Llantwit Major to the west and Rhoose Cardiff Airport to the east.

But according to Census data, St Athan's population grew by 22% between 2011 and 2021 - with hundreds of new homes built and more set to follow under Vale of Glamorgan Council's new local development plan.

Bro Radio News has approached the county council for a response.