Key Points
- Andrew RT Davies, MS for South Wales Central and former Welsh Conservative leader, described the omission of St Athan from the Welsh rail investment programme as a “cop out”.
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £445 million for new Welsh rail projects, including five new stations: Cardiff East, Newport West, Llanwern, Somerton, and Magor & Undy.
- St Athan station plans originated from a February 2024 Conservative UK Government pledge to fund a business case with Transport for Wales (TfW) and Vale of Glamorgan Council.
- Post-July 2024 Labour election victory, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh initiated a capital spending review, halting St Athan progress.
- Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Cllr Lis Burnett affirmed commitment in November 2025 to pursue the new station.
- St Athan population surged 22% from 2011-2021 per Census data, with new homes and developments in the Cardiff Airport Enterprise Zone.
- Original St Athan Holt station closed in June 1964; Vale of Glamorgan Line reopened 2005; nearest stations now Llantwit Major and Rhoose Cardiff Airport.
- Davies stated: “Leaving St Athan out of plans for new rail in Wales is a snub to the Vale, and a huge missed opportunity” as reported by Bro Radio.
- The project could boost connectivity to Aston Martin facility and green energy park, per 2024 UK Government announcement.
- Council continues working with TfW and Department for Transport on business case.
St Athan(Cardiff Daily) February 23, 2026 – Andrew RT Davies, MS for South Wales Central, has fiercely criticised the exclusion of a proposed new railway station at St Athan from the latest Welsh rail investment programme, labelling it a “cop out” that overlooks the area’s growth potential. The Chancellor’s spending review allocated £445 million for rail enhancements, prioritising five new stations elsewhere in South East Wales while sidelining St Athan despite prior commitments. Local leaders and residents express frustration over stalled plans that date back to 2024.
Why Was St Athan Excluded from Rail Funding?
As reported by Bro Radio, Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled £445 million in funding for Welsh rail projects following her spending review, earmarking stations at Cardiff East, Newport West, Llanwern, Somerton, and Magor & Undy. These sites fall under the Burns station programme, with initial £90 million allocated and work slated to begin in 2026, potentially opening by late 2020s. St Athan, however, received no mention, prompting accusations of neglect.
The decision follows a shift in UK Government priorities after Labour’s July 2024 general election win. Then-Transport Secretary Louise Haigh announced a review of capital spending, effectively pausing unfunded commitments from the prior Conservative administration. A Department for Transport statement referenced a £22 billion public spending gap, including £2.9 billion in transport pledges without plans or funds.
What Did Andrew RT Davies Say About the Snub?
Andrew RT Davies, former Welsh Conservative leader, condemned the omission in strong terms. As quoted by Bro Radio, he said: “Leaving St Athan out of plans for new rail in Wales is a snub to the Vale, and a huge missed opportunity”. He added: “St Athan has seen massive development in recent years, and we need the infrastructure to catch up. Sadly, despite the wheels already being in motion to bring a station back to St Athan, the Chancellor has shelved the plans”.
Davies further remarked: “This spending review was a chance to take the station forward and provide more links and more growth in our county. It’s high time that this government recognised that the Vale of Glamorgan is a crucial part of the south Wales economy that deserves investment”. On social media, he reiterated: “St Athan is a prime location for a train station, sitting along the Vale of Glamorgan Line… Marking the project down as a potential opportunity is a cop out”.
When Did St Athan Rail Plans Begin?
Plans for reviving St Athan station trace to February 2024, when the Conservative UK Government pledged support. Transport Secretary Mark Harper visited the Vale of Glamorgan, announcing funding alongside Vale MP Alun Cairns to develop a business case with TfW and the council. The initiative aimed to restore services absent since 1964, enhancing links to the Cardiff Airport Enterprise Zone and a planned green energy park.
The station, once St Athan Holt, served RAF St Athan until closure in June 1964; the line reopened in 2005 without it. Cllr Lis Burnett welcomed the move, noting it would reconnect thousands to jobs and education. A Welsh Government spokesperson expressed disappointment over lack of funding details, stressing commitment to joint priorities.
How Has St Athan Grown Without Rail Links?
St Athan’s population grew 22% between 2011 and 2021, per Census data, fuelling hundreds of new homes under the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Replacement Local Development Plan. Residents rely on distant stations: Llantwit Major westward and Rhoose Cardiff Airport eastward. Local voices highlight unreliable buses to Cardiff and Barry.
St Athan resident Barbara Reid, 65, told Bro Radio: “I would use it, definitely, and I know a lot of people that definitely would use it as well”. Cllr Burnett described UK Government backing as “significant,” aligning with council aspirations for sustainable development. Cllr Haines echoed enthusiasm: “I had been working with Alun [Cairns] for some years trying to get a train station… I was over the moon when the money was coming”.
What Is the Council’s Stance on the Station?
Vale of Glamorgan Council remains committed. In November 2025, Cllr Lis Burnett stated they were “still committed to working towards a new station”. A spokesperson affirmed: “The council continues to work with Transport for Wales and the Department for Transport on developing the business case for a station in St Athan”. They highlighted St Athan’s strategic role in the Enterprise Zone.
The council’s RLDP proposes sites reflecting its employment links. Bro Radio approached the council for comment on the snub but received no immediate response.
Will St Athan Station Plans Revive?
Opposition voices criticise the 10-year timeline for Welsh rail as “underwhelming,” per Cardiff University experts and parties like Conservatives, Plaid Cymru, and Liberal Democrats. A broader £14 billion pipeline includes these projects, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledging long-term commitment.
Labour MP Chris Elmore noted scrutiny over un-costed schemes. Residents like Barbara Reid lament repeated delays: “There were so many times people said it would happen… nothing happened”. Davies positions St Athan as vital for economic growth, urging recognition of the Vale’s role.
The saga underscores tensions between national funding priorities and local needs in expanding communities. With ongoing council efforts, the business case persists amid uncertainty. Aston Martin staff and future green park workers stand to benefit if revived. Population pressures and enterprise zones amplify calls for inclusion in future rounds.
