14 January 2011
The Abercynon Park and Ride Scheme in South Wales has officially
opened £1million within budget and six months ahead of
schedule.
Designed by Capita Symonds and supported by Arriva Trains Wales
and Network Rail, the ‘Park and Ride’ facility is located on former
scrub-land situated between the River Taff and Abercynon Station. A
river bridge has also been constructed linking the local Navigation
Business Park to the ‘Park and Ride’ car park which holds around
160 cars (including 11 disabled spaces), and is equipped with CCTV
coverage.
The £3 million project was funded by Welsh Assembly Government
and the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by Rhondda
Cynon Taf Council.
First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones AM and Deputy First
Minister for Wales Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is also Minister for the
Economy and Transport, joined Assembly Member for the Cynon Valley
Christine Chapman, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council Leader Cllr Russell
Roberts and Cabinet Member for Transport, Customer Care and
Emergency Planning, Cllr Andrew Morgan, for the official
opening.
Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Cllr Russell Roberts said:
“As a local authority, we are pleased to have delivered another
major transport improvement in Rhondda Cynon Taf – following
on from successful projects such as the Church Village Bypass,
Porth Relief Road and Llanharan Station projects,
...It’s great news that this project has been finished ahead of schedule and under budget. With a capacity for 160 cars and free parking, it should encourage people in the local area to use public transport which in turn will benefit the environment and ease pressure on other forms of transport...
“It is of paramount importance to encourage people to use
sustainable and environmentally friendly forms of transport but
this needs to be operated through having the right
facilities. The Abercynon Park and Ride does just that and
meets a number of key policy objectives, including economic
regeneration, sustainability and the environment.”
The project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF) through the European Union’s Convergence Programme
administered by the Welsh Assembly Government. The remainder of the
funding was provided by the Welsh Assembly Government through the
Rail Forward Programme.
First Minister Carwyn Jones said: “It’s great news that this
project has been finished ahead of schedule and under budget. With
a capacity for 160 cars and free parking, it should encourage
people in the local area to use public transport which in turn will
benefit the environment and ease pressure on other forms of
transport.”
Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones explained, “I am
delighted for the people of Abercynon and the Cynon Valley that we
are able to officially open this fantastic facility, which will not
only help reduce road congestion and carbon emissions but also goes
some way to continue the economic regeneration of this area. The
people of this area deserve nothing less and we’re proud that even
in this tough financial climate that we are continuing to invest in
these valley communities. ”
...we proudly deliver the Abercynon Park and Ride Scheme well within budget and several months ahead of schedule thanks to excellent partnership working with all concerned...
Construction work on the project began in February 2010 and the
park and ride facility was anticipated to be open to the public by
the summer of 2011. But due to the tireless efforts of the project
team, the scheme has opened 27 weeks earlier than expected.
Originally the cost of the scheme was projected as £4million, but
due to a combination of positive partnership working, excellent
community relations, value engineering and good weather, a saving
of £1million was made.
Cllr Andrew Morgan, who is also the Vice Chairman of the South
East Wales Transport Alliance (Sewta) said: “This is a very
important day for us in Rhondda Cynon Taf as we proudly deliver the
Abercynon Park and Ride Scheme well within budget and several
months ahead of schedule thanks to excellent partnership working
with all concerned. I am confident that the many thousands of
regular users will appreciate the benefits of this first-class
facility in the county borough which will enhance their journeys on
a daily basis.”
These improvements form part of the Sewta initiative to promote
and deliver improved public transport across the region. Sewta is a
regional consortium of the 10 south-east Wales local authorities
that work together with partner organisations to deliver improved
transport facilities.
The Chair of Sewta, Councillor Jeffrey James, of the Vale of
Glamorgan said: "The opening of Abercynon Park and Ride is the
latest chapter in Sewta's successful delivery of the South East
Wales Regional Transport Plan which encourages sustainable travel
by rail. The project also reflects the value of close collaboration
between Sewta, the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) and the
Welsh Assembly Government.
“These important new facilities will significantly
increase access to the rail network and encourage Valleys' car
users to change to rail for a significant part of their journey
removing traffic from the congested routes into Pontypridd,
Treforest and Cardiff."