First Minister opens revamped Bridgend railway station

The First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones officially opened the new facilities to celebrate the completion of the project.

With funding from the National Station Improvement Programme (NSIP), Bridgend station has undergone a variety of improvements and modernisation over the last six months so commuters and visitors can enjoy better facilities.

The station is also set to benefit from free Wi-Fi as part of a substantial investment in Welsh stations by the Welsh Government and will be installed in the coming months.

Bridgend is Wales’ fifth busiest station and in 2016/17 saw more the 1.5 million people passing through it.

The project began in autumn 2017 which saw a temporary ticket office and passenger toilets put in place outside the station.

The new facilities and station improvements include:

• An improved concourse area with a new information desk, ticket office and new seating,
• Refurbished passenger toilets including a new baby changing facility,
• Improvements to the station entrance and frontage, including a new waiting shelter and customer pathways,
• Improved security with new CCTV,
• New signage and passenger information displays.

Opening the new facilities, First Minister Carwyn Jones said:

“I am pleased to unveil these improved facilities, which will encourage more people to use the station, as well as improving the experience for existing passengers.

“Good quality public transport is really important. Having a comfortable seat, waiting shelters and access to free Wi-Fi makes a real difference to people’s journeys, whether they’re going about their daily commute or heading out for the day with family.

“Modern facilities and enhanced connectivity is essential to both economic and population growth. I want to see top quality, integrated transport systems in place across Wales, bringing communities closer, linking people with jobs, leisure and tourism opportunities, and further developing the Welsh economy.”

Bethan Jelfs, Customer Services Director for Arriva Trains Wales, said:

“We are delighted to have completed this improvement project for Bridgend station on time, as part our wider investment plans to improve the facilities across Wales’ railway network.

“We’ve worked hard to complete this project and would like to thank our passengers for their patience while the improvement works took place and hope that visitors will enjoy the new and improved facilities here.”

Bill Kelly, acting route managing director for Network Rail in Wales and Borders, said:

“Revitalising Bridgend station will help to improve journeys for passengers who rely on the railway for work and leisure. We are working with Arriva Trains Wales and the Welsh Government to upgrade the railway, helping to connect people, businesses and communities, as well as supporting economic growth.”