New Rail Plans Present Great Opportunity for Severn Tunnel Junction:Local station could be a "transport hub for South Gwent"

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th Aug 2009

Michael German is campaining for an upgrade for Severn Tunnel Junction to take cars off the road

New rail plans that the main London-South Wales railway line is to be electrified and a new Transport Plan for Wales present a 'great opportunity for the future' of a local Gwent railway station, according to a local Assembly member.

Michael German, former leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, says that Severn Tunnel Junction could be developed into a major transport hub and gateway to Gwent for a large catchment area including Caldicot, Severnside and Chepstow.

A long time campaigner for improved railways and train services in South Wales, Michael German said: "The National transport Plan by the welsh Assembly Government cancelled the M4 Relief Road and the now the emphasis will be on providing relief for the M4 motorway through investment in public transport measures: enhanced train services and improved local railways through park-and-ride schemes."

Liberal Democrat Mr. German believes there is an ideal opportunity to put together a full package to the Welsh Assembly Government to upgrade the station at Severn Tunnel Junction.

He is calling for a new junction to be built on the M48 motorway between Caldicot and Rogiet, whilst providing a direct link for local people to the motorway network and taking cars off the busy B Road through Caldicot and the Severnside villages of Rogiet, Undy and Magor, would also, according to Mr. German, allow for a direct new road link into an enhance park-and-ride station at Severn Tunnel Junction bypassing Rogiet: "Any development of the station as a hub for South Monmouthshire must mean traffic by-passing Rogiet village."

Speaking on the need for a 'full package' to be presented to the Assembly government, Mr. Germans says that Monmouthshire County Council will have a vital part to play. "The Council should not wait for any signals from Cardiff bay: now is the time to act and work with the Severn Tunnel Action Group (STAG) to come up with a plan that the Assembly Government will want to fund - the new national transport Plan is clear on what sort of projects they will want to fund and Monmouthshire can be a the front of the queue."

Councillor Linda Guppy who represents Rogiet and Severn Tunnel Junction on Monmouthshire County Council said: "The County Council passed a motion two years ago calling for a rapid expansion in local rail provision. Let's back-up those words with action now. Any development of Severn Tunnel Junction has to include a new access which by-passes Rogiet and takes cars away from narrow roads in the village. I'll be consulting with residents in the village on what they want to see."

Further support for Mr. German comes from Phil Hobson, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Monmouthshire County Council and the party's MP Candidate for Monmouthshire, is keen to see action. He sees development of park-and-ride facilities which more frequent, faster trains as a "vital piece in the jigsaw".

Mr. Hobson said, "If we are serious at all about getting people out of cars, cutting down on car miles and carbon emissions, then we need to see a large expansion in local rail services where people begin to take the train out of instinct rather than jumping into the car."