Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Lindsay Whittle has presented the case for retaining a Victorian railway tickets office as part of a new £33m transport interchange in Caerphilly.
The Blaenau Gwent, Caerffili, Rhymni MS met Deputy Transport Minister Mark Hooper and presented images created by a Caerphilly resident of how the ticket office could form part of the development.
Lindsay Whittle, who opposes demolition of the existing Victorian ticket office as part of the development said: “I thought the meeting with Mark Hooper was useful and he listened closely to the case to save the old ticket office.
“But I understand that the issue is not just one for the Welsh Government but also for Transport for Wales and the local authority who have submitted a planning application. I hope even at this late stage the plans can be amended because it is quite possible to have both the old ticket office and the new interchange.”
Lindsay Whittle pointed out that ticket office was unique in Caerphilly as many other significant old buildings have been demolished.
He pointed out that the area had lost a school that was built in the late 1800s, the town’s old police station, a number of old banks, a cobblers shop from the 1700s and the old Clive Hotel, a magnificent building.
“This is the last of the 100 year old buildings with the exception of Caerphilly Castle, a chapel and the old Courthouse,” added Lindsay Whittle.