Immaculate 172-bay car park next to the M4 that no one uses

A pristine car park in Wales, despite its prime location and ample space, has remained unused for years. This car park[1] serves as a stark reminder of the political decisions that have led to congested main roads and alarmingly high pollution levels for local residents. Located just off Station Road in the village of Rogiet in southeast Wales, this car park is quite the sight.

With immaculate tarmac, 172 perfectly-paved bays, 10 electric vehicle charging points (with room for an additional 16), wide lanes, and spotless lines, it's a car park you'd be reluctant to litter. The reason for its pristine condition? It's newly-built.

The reason it will likely remain in such good condition? Almost no one is using it, reports Wales Online[2].

While it may seem like just an empty car park, it encapsulates the challenges faced by 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, lie the quaint village of Rogiet and the bustling town of Caldicot. With Bristol[5], Cardiff, and Newport all within a stone's throw and two motorways practically on their doorstep, you'd think these residents would be among the most well-connected in Wales.

However, the western stretch of the M4 is one of the UK's most congested motorway sections. This congestion is partly due to the notorious Brynglas Tunnels, but also the motorway's erratic weaving, multiple junctions in quick succession, and steep hills that slow down lorries. A proposed solution, the M4 relief road, was scrapped by Mark Drakeford after millions were spent on planning, primarily due to environmental concerns over the potential destruction of the Gwent wetlands.

Regardless of the decision's merits, it left a significant issue unresolved how to alleviate traffic congestion on the M4 around Newport?

After all, tens of thousands of people, including many children, live amidst the lethal pollution generated by this section of the motorway. And this is where the pristine little car park enters the picture. The newly constructed car park near Severn Tunnel Junction train station, adjacent to Rogiet, was designed to alleviate motorway pressure by encouraging westbound travellers towards Cardiff to park and take the train.

However, this plan has not been well-received by residents of Rogiet or Magor. To access the car park, motorists must navigate through the village of Rogiet via the congested Station Road. 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 car park. However, despite being merely 25m from the platform, the tracks lie between the car park and the station. This necessitates a walk back over the bridge and down a dimly lit, single-file lane next to some allotments to reach the station.

Upon reaching the platform, another issue arises. Many trains on the South Wales Mainline do not stop at Severn Tunnel Junction, instead continuing straight through from Bristol to Newport. Sign up to receive daily news updates and breaking news alerts straight to your inbox for free here[6].

At certain times of the day, there can be up to 45 minutes between trains (though this varies throughout the day).

So why does all this matter? Despite the Welsh Government's efforts to reduce M4 traffic by encouraging use of a new railway station, locals in Rogiet are concerned about the potential increase in village traffic. Sebastian McVicker-Orringe, vice-chair of Rogiet Community Council (RCC), voiced these concerns during the planning process for the station's car park, labelling the proposal as "manifestly unsafe for pedestrians" due to the existing dangers on Station Road.

However, the bigger issue seems to be that despite the struggle to get the car park built, it remains largely unused. On some days, not a single vehicle can be seen parked there. It appears that commuters find sitting in traffic less inconvenient than navigating through a congested village and waiting potentially 40 minutes for a train that may be cancelled.

There's a glimmer of hope for increased usage at the underutilised Severn Tunnel Junction station, as future developments could provide incentives for commuters.

The potential introduction of a congestion charge in Cardiff might persuade drivers to leave their cars before entering the city, and the upcoming South Wales Metro promises enhanced connectivity with a direct line to Cardiff, potentially improving service frequency from the station. The controversial decision to scrap the M4 relief road has left many residents facing a future marred by pollution. With the M4 frequently congested, the Welsh Government's alternative strategies to reduce traffic and improve air quality are yet to prove effective, leaving communities like Rogiet apprehensive 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 southeast Wales, including securing funding to complete the next stage of enhancing the South Wales Mainline 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 this will take time." Want the latest Bristol breaking news and top stories first? Click here to join our WhatsApp group[7].

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References

1. ^ car park (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
2. ^ Wales Online (www.walesonline.co.uk)
3. ^ UK to experience 29C temperatures as North African heatwave hits (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
4. ^ Meghan Markle sets conditions for potential return to UK (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
5. ^ Bristol (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
6. ^ here (bit.ly)
7. ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp group (chat.whatsapp.com)
8. ^ Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)