Projects that work all the way down the line

When the Welsh Government asked us to create a new train station at Pye Corner on the Ebbw Valley Line on the outskirts of Newport in just 13 months, we relished the challenge.

Having been involved in the development phase of the original Ebbw Valley Re-opening scheme, in 2008, we were primed and ready.

We found that although well situated to serve the local population, the long narrow site and five-metre level difference between track and the Western Valley Road created a number of challenges. To tackle this, and assure affordability, we:

• prepared tender documents, gave planning advice and estimated costs
• provided feasibility design, involving ecological surveys, geotechnical, noise surveys, traffic assessment and transport statement
• managed highway and rail civil engineering, drainage, landscape, M&E, structures and telecoms, and acted as CDM co-ordinator

The station opened in December 2014, with a 145-metre platform, a shelter, Customer Information System, CCTV, ticket machine, bicycle parking, and 60-space car park. We also looked to the future ensuring room for a second track and platform, line electrification, EV charging, and further road access.