A series of road infrastructure and integrated public transport improvements in the centre of Newport have been proposed. The plans from Transport for Wales, the Welsh Government’s transport body, include:
- A new public transport interchange at Newport rail station, linking rail and bus services, making the station a hub for sustainable travel.
- Highway revisions to replace Old Green roundabout, with priority access lanes for buses and simplified active travel routes which are convenient and attractive for all users; and
- Opportunities to improve the public realm, including the areas around Newport Castle.
The proposals take forward key recommendations of the South East Wales Transport Commission, which are being overseen by the Burns Delivery Unit chaired by Simon Gibson.
The unit, which is led by Transport for Wales, in partnership with Welsh Government and local authorities of Newport, Monmouthshire and Cardiff, is developing a sustainable travel network across south-east Wales.
The Burns Commission, chaired by Lord Burns was set up by the Welsh Government to look at boosting public transport investment in south-east Wales after former First Minister Mark Drakeford took the decision in 2017 not to proceed with a Labour Senedd manifesto pledge to deliver an M4 relief road.
The commission recommended five new train stations from Cardiff to Magor, with a combined construction cost of £320m, but first require £15m for detailed design work and £50m upgrading the relief lines from Bristol Temple Meads Station to South Wales to allow them to be utilised by passenger trains.
From a viable train service passenger revenue perspective it would require the five stations to be delivered. To support integrated public transport, the Welsh Government, would also need to make a £400m investment, including improving road infrastructure in Newport and a dedicated bus lane between Newport and Cardiff along the A48 to the M4.
A public consultation on the Newport plans was held in spring 2023 with over 2,400 responses received.
Since the consultation closed, the partners of the Burns Delivery Unit have been reviewing the feedback and assessing a number of proposed refinements to the plans and testing their feasibility.
The BDU partners have been working collaboratively on reviewing some of the elements of the original plans to incorporate feedback that was collated during the consultation, including how to treat the culturally significant murals at Old Green, and amending the scheme designs to incorporate comments from transport providers, and businesses involved in the night-time economy in and around High Street.
The next stage will be to continue engaging stakeholders and residents on the plans, and to secure the funding from government (Welsh Government, with the Ƶ Government funding the Burns stations) for the delivery of the sustainable travel improvement plans.
Rhian Howells, Newport City Council’s cabinet member for infrastructure and assets, said: “Old Green is a vital part of the travel network in Newport and it is important that we get things right.
“Should these proposals go ahead, they will make it easier for people to get around Newport and will better link Newport Castle with the city centre.”
“The informative feedback we have received from people has allowed us to refine the plans, shaping them to better serve people’s needs.
Transport for Wales chief transport and development officer Geoff Ogden said: “These proposals have the potential to significantly improve travel in Newport by providing better links between rail and bus and better routes for walking, wheeling and cycling. Helping people to travel by these types of transport will make Newport a greener and healthier place.
“We would like to thank all those that took the time to provide their feedback to the consultation and helped shape these important plans for the city.”
