Plans for a £33m transport interchange, including a new train station in Caerphilly, has been branded a “waste of taxpayers’ money” by Senedd Member Lindsay Whittle.
Lindsay Whittle, who represents Blaenau Gwent, Caerffili and Rhymni, is a long standing opponent of the development which, he said, was not needed.
The Senedd Member is also strongly opposed to the demolition of a historic ticket office as part of the £33m scheme.
Lindsay Whittle, who has urged people to oppose the proposals by Transport for Wales, said: “I’m a long standing opponent to the destruction of the ticket office and to the building of a new train station which, frankly, the town doesn’t need.
“The train service has vastly improved and a new station is a very low priority in my mind.
“At a time when public services are cut to the bone this is the last thing Caerphilly needs. It will not attract tourists here.
“The powers that be are trying to convince us that tourists will be attracted to Caerphilly by this station. They won’t come to see a glass train station. It’s not like they are viewing Grand Central Station in New York or St Pancras Station in London which does attract tourists.
“People are coming to Caerphilly Castle anyway. This is something not needed by the people of Caerphilly. A new train station would be a waste of £33m of taxpayers’ money. This is people’s money after all.”
Lindsay Whittle said that he also had concerns about the safety impact of the demolition of the old ticket office because it sits on a bridge over the main Rhymney Valley rail line.
He argued that it was vital to preserve the town’s historic buildings by enhancing what is left. “Caerphilly people have made it clear in the past that they want to save our prominent old buildings to remember our heritage.
“A new build is not in keeping with a 750-year-old castle. It will also have an extremely negative impact on the environment. There is, of course, also room for new and exciting new buildings but not at the expense of a building over 100 years old.”