Porthcawl Metrolink in South Wales (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Locals in a South Wales town are outraged after the -run council, along with the Labour-run Welsh Government and the UK government, ploughed £4m into a new bus station that’s in the “wrong position”.
The seaside town of , under the jurisdiction of Bridgend County Borough Council, saw the glass bus station open last week to a “mixed reaction” from residents.
The facility was constructed under the Cardiff Capital Region city deal, with support from the Labour Government as well as the council’s own Porthcawl Regeneration budget.
It has space for four buses at any one time and has an “environmentally friendly green roof”.
Critics say four buses is too few for such an expensive structure, that it is too far from the beachfront, and that there is no toilet.
The new station is ready for use (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Speaking shortly after the opening an independent town councillor from Porthcawl, Brian Jones, told : “Personally I think the cost was over the top at £4m. It’s in the wrong position and really speaking I think the money would have been better spent on refurbishing the bus shelters that we already have around Porthcawl.
“Where it is now I personally think it should have been on the other side of the road so people haven’t got to cross the road to get in to the town centre or cross the road to get to a bus stop, but it has had a mixed reaction from people.”
Meanwhile, Porthcawl resident June Wilkinson, one of the first passengers using the station, said: “This is the first time I’ve come here and so far I think it’s all right as bus stations go, though perhaps it could have had a toilet put in here.
“It is a bit out of the way for local people, especially if you live up the seafront way, but today I’m really here just to try it out as I do catch a local bus quite often. Hopefully now they can start to get some more buses in and people will be able to go anywhere then.”
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Passenger Colin Powell using the station for the first time (Image: WalesOnline / Rob Browne)
Suzanne Padden, another Porthcawl local, said the fancy new site didn’t have enough buses using it to justify the expense: “I’ve never seen four buses turn up in one go in Porthcawl so you’re just going to get the odd bus. It could have been done with space for one bus and one waiting. You don’t need it.”
She added that the facility would not be able to accomodate the tourist industry, fundamental to the town’s economy.
She added: “If they want people to start using buses you’ve got to be able to live your life as you live now. Most people who come here have surfboards and bodyboards as well as big bags and all the kids with wetsuits. How could you possibly come from Aberdare or somewhere now on one of these buses to go to the beach? It’s nearly impossible.”
A spokesperson for Bridgend County Borough Council, said: “It is essential to remember that the Metrolink has been constructed on a site that is marked for further extensive development, and forms just one part of a planned waterfront regeneration initiative.
“Located on land at the heart of the regeneration area alongside the Portway and Salt Lake in Porthcawl, the newly opened Metrolink forms part of the wider Metro Plus programme, designed to improve public transport links across south-east Wales.
“The first dedicated bus station in Porthcawl, the modern structure offers an enclosed, pleasant space for travellers who are waiting for incoming buses. Facilities such as public toilets can be found at a number of locations that are less than a four-minute walk from the Metrolink.
“The site for this landmark transport facility has been carefully considered and largely chosen for its highly accessible location. Not only positioned in the Porthcawl regeneration area, which will include new retail, commercial, recreational, and leisure opportunities, the Metrolink is also built in close proximity to John Street, in the town centre, as well as the beach. There are also additional plans to introduce further connectivity, with improvements for pedestrian and cycle links around the site.
“The location of the Metrolink also offers significantly more space than the former bus service site at South Road/John Street. Bus companies have welcomed the ease in which their larger vehicles can access the Metrolink, in contrast to the difficulty in manoeuvring buses into the smaller areas available at the last site, which resulted in delays.
“The facility future proofs the transport network of the area. It offers a platform to secure additional future funding for new and enhanced bus services into the town; it also provides the opportunity for any park and ride services, as well as any tourist bus drop off/pick up requirements that may arise.
“It’s important to recognise that the Metrolink forms part of the wider regeneration plans for Porthcawl and is a vital aspect of their successful delivery.”