Cogan station should get a pedestrian footway and shuttle bus

[Envoy]

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South Wales 'Metro' updates

I thought it would be worthwhile to start a discussion on the South Wales 'Metro'. Basically, this is the scheme to enhance transport links across south east Wales. One of the key issues that needs to be addressed is what form of transport will be used on the Cardiff Valley lines network -...

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Whilst it is good to see the completed Bus / Rail Interchange (1) at Barry Dock station, I note that the car park appeared to be little used (2). I recently took a look at the situation at Cogan and the car park had zero places available (3). Goodness knows why money can’t be found to increase the parking space at Cogan on the adjoining wasteland (4)? The Cogan station car park must surely be used by a lot of Penarth residents. If they find a lack of spaces, they simply won’t bother switching to the trains and will drive into Cardiff or wherever.

As I have mentioned before the lack of a pedestrian footway between Cogan station & the Pont Y Werin bridge to link with the Ice Rink & Swimming Pool/ White Water Centre - is appalling. They could do this using the underpass from the Cardiff bound platform and then a bridge over the lines. (This could be similar to the new footway over The Marches line at Craven Arms).

A shuttle bus should be provided between Cogan station and Llandough Hospital.

 

[The exile]

. Goodness knows why money can’t be found to increase the parking space at Cogan on the adjoining wasteland (4)? The Cogan station car park must surely be used by a lot of Penarth residents. If they find a lack of spaces, they simply won’t bother switching to the trains and will drive into Cardiff or wherever.

But is it simply a matter of money? Who owns the “adjoining wasteland”, for example?

 

[Paul Dancey]

But is it simply a matter of money? Who owns the “adjoining wasteland”, for example?

I recently used the last available space in the Cogan car park to catch a train straight through to Cathays. I've often wondered whether that patch of wasteland is where the entrance to the tunnel to Ferry rd in Cardiff was, as it's been never been used for anything all the time I've lived in Penarth.

 

[StripeyNick]

I recently used the last available space in the Cogan car park to catch a train straight through to Cathays. I've often wondered whether that patch of wasteland is where the entrance to the tunnel to Ferry rd in Cardiff was, as it's been never been used for anything all the time I've lived in Penarth.

The entrance to the old tunnel is a bit further over towards the flats by the Oystercatcher.

The wasteland used to have an old building on it which was demolished pre-Covid as it had asbestos in it. I'm pretty sure that there had been a plan to open up that land to improve facilities at Cogan (more parking, bus stop, that sort of thing) but I can't for the life of me find it anywhere.

I'm not sure if it might have been an early Metro proposal

 

[Envoy]

The tunnel nearer the Oystercatcher was a foot tunnel under the Ely creek.

The cutting with wasteland by Cogan station was a road tunnel to Penarth Docks. It was filled in at the time of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation - who, if they had any sense would have had a P&R station on the Penarth line where Tesco is today. (You can still see the old Victorian station building facing the main road at this location. It is made of local limestone).

Whilst I was present at Cogan, a large lorry arrived (see photo) to deliver supplies to the builders yard adding the station car park. It would be great of the builders yard could be relocated to free up more space for parking.

 

[mattmarr88]

Cardiff council "crossrail" plans indicate Cogan will become an "interchange" (see page 4), meaning there will need to be a platform built on the penarth branch and a connection between them, potentially via an underpass as mentioned above. (Apparently there is a historic underpass bricked up?)
The disused land adjacent to Cogan carpark represents a huge opportunity, VoG planning portal indicates various applications for residential, all having expired. Permission was also granted for the demolition of the asbestos building (historically cogan and llandough senior citizens centre?). The application has been made by an agent, so difficult to get an indication of ownership - it would be beneficial for it to be within control of the authorities to allow future development as part of wider transport strategy. The builders yard and taxi building further restrict things, not least because there isn't even a pedestrian walkway to segregate pedestrians from traffic/lorries!
I have often thought the same about a shuttle service to Llandough hospital, where parking is problematic - at the moment some hospital staff use the station, but patients, especially infirm, would be restricted by the distance and also the fact there is no step free access to the cardiff platform. There is plenty of space to provide graded ramp from the cardiff platform to the andrew rd exit entrance, but at the moment there is limited lighting and the vegetation is encroaching onto the walkway, so its even a challenge for the non disabled!
There were nearly 250,000 users of the station in the past year, that is likely to increase given the proposed further development proposed to the land near the international pool/vindico arena ("Cardiff Peninsular") but this planning application makes no reference to any improved connections with Cogan station to reduce dependency on cars!
There is so much potential at cogan station, will it ever be developed?

 

[sprunt]

As I have mentioned before the lack of a pedestrian footway between Cogan station & the Pont Y Werin bridge to link with the Ice Rink & Swimming Pool/ White Water Centre - is appalling.

Am I missing something? Looking at Google Maps, there does appear to be a footway - turn left out of the platform, up the ramp at the far end of the car park, across the road and turn right then across the next road there's a path down to the bridge. I wouldn't say it's a good route - the footways along the road are a bit narrow and look like they could easily get blocked by foliage if it isn't controlled - but it does exist.

 

[Envoy]

Am I missing something? Looking at Google Maps, there does appear to be a footway - turn left out of the platform, up the ramp at the far end of the car park, across the road and turn right then across the next road there's a path down to the bridge. I wouldn't say it's a good route - the footways along the road are a bit narrow and look like they could easily get blocked by foliage if it isn't controlled - but it does exist.

It is so dangerous to cross the busy main road by the mini roundabout that few people will risk it. As I said earlier, what is needed is a walkway going from the Cardiff bound platform - under the main road and up over the rail lines to link with the footpath to Pont-Y-Werin and hence the developments on the peninsula site.

Cardiff council "crossrail" plans indicate Cogan will become an "interchange" (see page 4), meaning there will need to be a platform built on the penarth branch and a connection between them, potentially via an underpass as mentioned above. (Apparently there is a historic underpass bricked up?)
The disused land adjacent to Cogan carpark represents a huge opportunity, VoG planning portal indicates various applications for residential, all having expired. Permission was also granted for the demolition of the asbestos building (historically cogan and llandough senior citizens centre?). The application has been made by an agent, so difficult to get an indication of ownership - it would be beneficial for it to be within control of the authorities to allow future development as part of wider transport strategy. The builders yard and taxi building further restrict things, not least because there isn't even a pedestrian walkway to segregate pedestrians from traffic/lorries!
I have often thought the same about a shuttle service to Llandough hospital, where parking is problematic - at the moment some hospital staff use the station, but patients, especially infirm, would be restricted by the distance and also the fact there is no step free access to the cardiff platform. There is plenty of space to provide graded ramp from the cardiff platform to the andrew rd exit entrance, but at the moment there is limited lighting and the vegetation is encroaching onto the walkway, so its even a challenge for the non disabled!
There were nearly 250,000 users of the station in the past year, that is likely to increase given the proposed further development proposed to the land near the international pool/vindico arena ("Cardiff Peninsular") but this planning application makes no reference to any improved connections with Cogan station to reduce dependency on cars!
There is so much potential at cogan station, will it ever be developed?

Welcome to the forum and many thanks for your input. You highlight all that needs sorting out at Cogan station.

 

[Smwrff]

I agree with you about improving Cogan station and I am very pleased to see it being developed as an interchange between Barry and Penarth lines. But I am not so sure about establishing a P&R scheme here.

I think a much better option is to develop a P&R scheme at the new proposed 'Pumping sation/gasholder' station. There is potential for a huge parking space on the Penarth Road side of the line - which would be ideally placed to intercept all traffic from Penarth & Barry areas

 

[Envoy]

I agree with you about improving Cogan station and I am very pleased to see it being developed as an interchange between Barry and Penarth lines. But I am not so sure about establishing a P&R scheme here.

I think a much better option is to develop a P&R scheme at the new proposed 'Pumping sation/gasholder' station. There is potential for a huge parking space on the Penarth Road side of the line - which would be ideally placed to intercept all traffic from Penarth & Barry areas

To drive from Penarth to any new station near Penarth Road involves going through the traffic choke point at Cogan. By having increased parking area at Cogan station means that Penarth residents do not have to go through that congested junction.