Immaculate 172-space car park next to the M4 that nobody uses

A pristine car park in Wales, despite its prime location and ample space, has sat unused for years. This car park serves as a stark reminder of the political decisions that have led to congestion on major roads and alarmingly high levels of pollution for local residents.

Located just off Station Road in the South East Wales village of Rogiet, this car park is quite a sight. With pristine asphalt, 172 perfectly paved bays, 10 electric vehicle charging points (with room for 16 more), wide lanes and flawless lines, it’s a car park you’d be reluctant to throw away.

The reason for its pristine condition? It is newly built. The reason it will likely remain in such good condition? Hardly anyone uses it, reports Wales Online.

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While it may look like just an empty car park, it encapsulates the challenges facing the Welsh Government in their efforts to encourage people to swap their cars for public transport. Here’s why.

Nestled between the M4 to the south and the M48 to the north in Monmouthshire lies the picturesque village of Rogiet and the bustling town of Caldicot. With Bristol, Cardiff and Newport all a stone’s throw away and two motorways practically on the doorstep, you’d think these residents would be amongst the best connected in Wales.

However, the western section of the M4 is one of the busiest sections of motorway in the UK. This congestion is partly due to the famous Brynglas tunnels, but also due to the highway’s irregular fabric, multiple intersections in rapid succession and steep hills that slow trucks.

One proposed solution, the M4 relief road, was abandoned by Mark Drakeford after millions of euros were spent on planning, primarily due to environmental concerns over the potential destruction of Gwent wetlands. Regardless of the merits of the decision, has it left a significant issue unresolved how to ease traffic congestion on the M4 around Newport?

After all, tens of thousands of people, including many children, live amid the lethal pollution generated by this stretch of highway. And this is where the clean little parking lot comes into play.

The newly built car park next to Severn Tunnel Junction station, adjacent to Rogiet, has been designed to reduce pressure on the motorway, encouraging travelers heading west to Cardiff to park and catch the train. However, this plan was not well received by the residents of Rogiet or Magor.

To access the car park, drivers must navigate through the village of Rogiet on the busy Drumul Garii. This narrow road is lined with parked cars, multiple crossings, and during rush hour, children heading to the nearby primary school.

After crossing a narrow bridge, drivers can park in the spacious parking lot. However, although it is only 25 meters from the platform, the tracks lie between the car park and the station.

This requires a walk back over the bridge and down a dimly lit single lane lane next to some allotments to get to the station. Upon reaching the platform, another problem arises. Many trains on the South Wales Mainline do not stop at Severn Tunnel Junction but continue direct from Bristol to Newport.

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At certain times of the day there can be up to 45 minutes between trains (although this varies throughout the day). So why does all this matter?

Despite the Welsh Government’s efforts to reduce M4 traffic by encouraging the use of a new railway station, locals in Rogiet are worried about the potential increase in traffic in the village. Sebastian McVicker-Orringe, vice-president of Rogiet Community Council (RCC), raised these concerns during the planning process for the station car park, labeling the proposal “unsafe for pedestrians” due to the dangers on Station Road.

However, the bigger problem seems to be that despite the struggle to build the parking lot, it remains largely unused. Some days there is not even a vehicle parked there. Commuters seem to find sitting in traffic less inconvenient than navigating a busy village and potentially waiting 40 minutes for a train that might be cancelled.

There is a glimmer of hope for increased use at the under-used Severn Tunnel Junction station as future developments could provide commuters with incentives. The potential introduction of a congestion charge in Cardiff could persuade drivers to leave their cars before entering the city, and the upcoming South Wales Metro promises improved connectivity with a direct line to Cardiff, potentially improving the frequency of service from the station.

The controversial decision to scrap the M4 relief road has left many residents with a future blighted by pollution. With the M4 frequently congested, the Welsh Government’s alternative strategies to reduce traffic and improve air quality have yet to prove effective, leaving communities such as Rogiet concerned about their air quality.

A Welsh Government spokeswoman previously told WalesOnline: “We are moving forward with the recommendations made by Lord Burns to improve transport in south-east Wales, including securing funding to complete the next stage of improvements to the South Wales Main Line and building new and improved stations on it. These improvements are helping to encourage more people to make the switch from car to rail, but as with any change, it will take time.”

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