Planning Application Submitted for Porth Transport Hub

The delivery of the new Porth Transport Hub has taken a significant step forward after planning proposals were submitted to the Council for consent.

The application for the scheme was submitted on Friday, September 18, by Capita, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s consultants for the development.

In January 2019, following a comprehensive public consultation, the Council’s Cabinet approved the Porth Town Centre Strategy, which set out an integrated and co-ordinated approach to the regeneration of Porth, recognising the strategic role that the town plays as a key location in the juncture between the Rhondda Fach and Fawr – particularly as an important location for accessing services, including employment, housing and transport functions.

At the heart of the Porth Town Centre Regeneration Strategy is the Transport Hub Development, which upon completion, will be a modern and attractive transport interchange within the heart of Porth Town Centre, providing a seamless transport experience for both bus and rail passengers. The development will also entail the creation of electric vehicle charging points and deliver further enhancements to the local Active Travel network.

To date, three strategic buildings in the town – The Alec Jones Day Centre, Barclays Bank, and the Porth Farm Surgery – have been demolished in order to prepare a suitable site for the construction of the Porth Transport Hub.

The wider regeneration programme includes the development of Porth Plaza as a community hub, the redevelopment of the old Porth Junior School site and exploring new parking opportunities – all with the aim of maximising the potential of Porth as the ‘Gateway to the Rhondda’ and making the town an excellent place to live, work, shop and visit.

Following the recent submission of the planning application, land preparations are being finalised in order to ensure the site is fully prepared for construction.

Councillor Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise Development and Housing, said: “The submission of the planning application for the Porth Transport Hub development is a major milestone in the delivery of this scheme, which will not only create a vastly improved public transport hub at the major town linking the two Rhondda valleys, but also drive the wider redevelopment of Porth itself.

“The Transport Hub is at the core of the Council’s plans for improving and revitalising the town, and takes into account its unique position as a key location for accessing a range of services and functions; whilst it will also crucially deliver vast connectivity improvements through a bus interchange, taxi rank and cycle stores. A new ticketing system will also link all journeys across bus and rail once the local developments and the wider South Wales Metro are delivered in future years.

“I’d like to extend my thanks to Capita, who are the Council’s consultants for the scheme, and I look forward to seeing this exciting development continue to progress towards its delivery.”

The Council continues to work in partnership with Transport for Wales to deliver this exciting scheme for Porth and the wider County Borough; and the project has secured joint funding from the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and Welsh Government’s Local Transport Fund through the Metro Plus programme, as bid for by the Cardiff Capital Region Transport Authority.