Despite its thriving cities and booming cultural output, Wales still feels as though it’s out in the sticks. Commuters have to rely on the M4 to get them from A to B, and any journey beyond Cardiff or Swansea is quite the slog. But that could be about to change. The UK and Welsh governments are teaming up to look into options for new stations that will (hopefully) allow for much better connections between England and Wales.
A fund of £2.7 million will go towards the research, following an official transport review led by Lord Hendy that highlighted the need to relieve congestion on the M4. Most excitingly, the study will look into five potential new stations in South-East Wales between Cardiff and the Severn Tunnel. Other options to boost England-Wales transport links will also be explored, including between North Wales and western England.
David TC Davies, the secretary of state for Wales, said: ‘Good transport connections between south Wales and western England are essential for the economy in Wales, enabling businesses to grow and flourish and making life easier for people to travel for work and leisure.
‘This funding from the UK government is vital in exploring how best to relieve congestion across south Wales.’
Stay in the loop: sign up to Out There, our free newsletter about all the best stuff to do across the UK.