Latest news with #LocalTransportFund
Wales Online
10-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Councillor to leave Neath Port Talbot coalition over concerns with town centre plan
Councillor to leave Neath Port Talbot coalition over concerns with town centre plan He also said there was a lack of momentum on other key policies he had championed Cllr Nathan Goldup-John has decided to leave the group (Image: Nathan Goldup-John ) A Neath Port Talbot councillor has said he will step back from his place within the authority's governing coalition due to a "lack of momentum" on key policies he had championed. Speaking at the council's annual general meeting for 2025, Cllr Nathan Goldup-John said the decision to leave the group had come after disagreements over major plans for the creation of a new transport hub in the borough. The project, which was revealed earlier this year, proposes the creation of a new transport hub in Neath that would bring together all aspects of rail, taxi and bus transport to one location in the town centre. If approved this would be based at the front of Neath's railway station with the creation of the new bus interchange set under a large canopy to shelter passengers from the weather. If given the go-ahead it would also see the potential redevelopment of the area around the town's Station Square set just off Windsor Road. An image of how the proposed Neath Transport Hub could look (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council ) The early stage proposals released by the council suggest the site could eventually serve as a "striking new gateway to Neath town centre, encouraging people to visit, shop, work and explore". Article continues below However, the Green Party member for Coedffranc Central, Cllr Goldup-John said he was concerned by the plans he described as being"flawed" and lacking "strategic direction". While he will continue in his role as a councillor for Neath Port Talbot, he will no longer be a part of the current "rainbow coalition" - which took charge of the authority in 2022 - due to a lack of changes in this proposal as well as what he said was a lack of momentum on other key policies he had championed. Addressing the chamber he said: "The proposals remained unchanged despite early and detailed feedback I offered grounded in professional expertise over two years ago. "The concerns I previously raised are now being echoed by others and I want to be clear, this is a flawed plan that lacks strategic direction and is unlikely to achieve its goals, destroying business place and the environment at the same time." Civic Square in Port Talbot (Image: Lewis Smith ) The Neath interchange is part of a project which has been named in the local authority's corporate plan for a number of years with funding so far coming through the Welsh Government's Local Transport Fund. Work on the project will be subject to further successful awards of Welsh Government funding, with planning approval also having to be given by the council before any work can begin. A public consultation on the plans is also currently open until June 11, 2025, to get feedback from residents of both the town and the wider county borough area. For the latest Neath Port Talbot news sign up to our newsletter here A spokesperson for Neath Port Talbot Council said: "The proposals for a new transport hub at the front of Neath Railway Station are currently a matter for public consultation. Feedback from the consultation will be provided to members for consideration before any decision is made." Article continues below
Wales Online
02-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
What Neath's new transport hub could look like under ambitious plans
What Neath's new transport hub could look like under ambitious plans It will look to bring together bus and rail services in the town An image of how the proposed Neath Transport Hub could look (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council ) Images of a how a proposed new transport hub in the centre of Neath could look have been revealed by the local council. If eventually approved, the new hub would be located at the front of the Neath Train Station, where it will be designed to bring together bus and rail services and make journeys easier. It would also see the redevelopment of the area around the town's Station Square just in front of the station, which they say would serve as a "striking new gateway to Neath town centre, encouraging people to visit, shop, work and explore." Once completed, it would contain facilities to have bus, rail, and taxi services all together in one place, with access to parking and improved walking and cycling facilities. Designs also show the new bus interchange set under a large "modern and contemporary" canopy to shelter passengers from the weather, along with a passenger concourse with a covered seating area and information screens. It will aim to bring together bus and rail services in the town (Image: Neath Port Talbot Council ) A council spokesperson said: "The proposal will relocate the existing bus station at Victoria Gardens to Neath railway station, creating a single transport hub in the town centre. Article continues below "Additionally, to help improve and integrate the active travel network into the public transport system, secured cycling facilities and dedicated cycling and walking routes will be added." The plans were first revealed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service in November of 2024 after proposals were published by architects at WW+P. The development is part of a project which has been named in the local authority's corporate plan for a number of years. Funding for it so far has come through the Welsh Government's Local Transport Fund. Work on the project will be subject to further successful awards of Welsh Government funding, with planning approval also having to be given by the council. A public consultation on the plans is now open until June 11, 2025, to seek feedback and opinions from residents of both the town of Neath and the wider county borough area. For the latest Neath Port Talbot news sign up to our newsletter here. Article continues below Drop-in events have also been arranged at Neath library for members of the public to discuss the proposals with the council. These will take place on the following dates. Tuesday May 13, 2-7pm Wednesday May 14, 3-8pm Thursday May 15, 2-7pm
South Wales Argus
27-04-2025
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire County Council gets £8m in transport funds
This money, which cannot be used for road maintenance, will be used for various projects across the county. The funding comes from the Welsh Government's Active Travel Fund, Local Transport Fund, Resilient Roads Fund, Road Safety Capital & Revenue, and Safe Routes in Communities. The projects set to benefit from this funding include bus infrastructure, road safety training, 20mph infrastructure, collision reduction schemes, and active travel. The majority of the funding, £6.5 million, comes from the Active Travel Fund and will be used for the Abergavenny to Llanfoist project. Councillor Catrin Maby, cabinet member for climate change and the environment, said: "It is encouraging to have agreed funding for so many transport projects across Monmouthshire. "Each one will help to make transport more efficient for communities in all corners of the county." Councillor Sara Burch, cabinet member for rural affairs, housing and tourism, added: "We know how important this scheme is to provide safe connections within the community."
