New bus station and park-and-ride could be built at Barry Docks

A NEW bus station and a park-and-ride could be built at Barry Docks train station along with flats and shops.

Vale of Glamorgan council is exploring what the four-bay ‘bus interchange’ could look like and exactly where it would go.

Transport experts Amey have been commissioned to write an outline business case for the plans, looking at the details, costs and benefits.

Next week, the council’s cabinet will be asked to approve the plans going to the next stage, known as ‘WelTAG stage three’, where Amey would write a full business case.

The bus interchange would likely be built south of the train station, on part of the car park by the Docks Offices, a council building. A park-and-ride would be built north of the train station, with about 100 flats to the northwest.

The council has already asked the Welsh Government for funding for the consultants to draw up the full business case, which could happen this financial year.

According to the plan, Barry Docks could become a “key gateway for Barry and its town centre”. Improved public transport connections could also encourage drivers out of their cars, a key goal for the council in reducing carbon dioxide emissions across the Vale.

A cabinet report set out the reason for the new interchange. It said: “To address climate change, reduce emissions and other environmental objectives, a primary aim of the Barry Docks Interchange is to bring about modal shift from car use to more sustainable modes.

“At present, access to the station by sustainable modes is limited. In the case of buses there is only one service that stops within a reasonable walking distance of the station.

“Transport demand in the region is increasing at a greater rate than the national average and this is expected to continue as further economic and housing development takes place. Barry Docks is well placed to cater for this demand on a sustainable and inclusive basis.”

So far the plans have cost £333,130 to draw up. The total works are estimated to cost £7.8 million. The Vale council’s cabinet will meet on Monday, June 7, to discuss the latest plans.