Work starts next week on new transport hub

Work will soon begin on a new transport hub for Porth in Wales.

The project to create the Porth Transport Hub will see site setup start next week, with completion set for spring 2023.

The hub will be based at the existing railway station and is designed to facilitate seamless travel across bus and rail. The project will also mean new EV charging points, a taxi rank, cycle stores and local Active Travel network upgrades.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council secured £3.5m from the UK Government towards the hub’s delivery, announced as part of the Levelling Up Fund in October 2021.

Encon Construction Ltd will deliver the project.

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.

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