Fishguard and Goodwick station in 1983

Improvement work to rebuild Fishguard and Goodwick station is nearly completed and passengers will soon be able to enjoy seven trains a day from 14 May 2012.

The station will boast a brand new station building and a new car park that will also be equipped with disabled access. In addition, the platform has been resurfaced and 150metres of track has been moved towards the station to allow passengers to hop on and off trains safely.

The success of this £450,000 scheme owes to a joint effort between Pembrokeshire County Council, Welsh Government, the South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium (SWWITCH), Network Rail Wales and Arriva Trains Wales.

Councillor Jamie Adams, SWWITCH voting member and deputy leader of Pembrokeshire County Council said: “Improvements to rail services west of Swansea were not only a priority for Pembrokeshire but for the South West region as a whole. The re-opening of the station is a positive step for the communities of Fishguard and Goodwick and indeed North Pembrokeshire and will help attract passengers onto the new enhanced rail services.”

Mark Langman, route managing director for Network Rail Wales said: “This scheme has been made possible because of a successful partnership between local government and the railway industry. It is driven by a shared vision and Network Rail’s devolved strategy that has enabled this scheme to be delivered affordably and in less than half a year. This is great testimony to how new thinking and new ways of working in the rail industry and with government and other stakeholders could continue to help the railway grow and become even more responsive to the needs of passengers. I strongly encourage people to make use of this new facility.”

Fishguard and Goodwick station is linked on the main bus route and easily accessible from both Goodwick and Fishguard town centres, therefore making it a potential gateway, especially for tourists visiting Pembrokeshire.

First opened in 1899, the station was named Goodwick station and was only renamed Fishguard and Goodwick in 1904. It was a terminus until an extension to Fishguard Harbour was built in 1906.

The station land is owned by Pembrokeshire County Council and the station will be operated by Arriva Trains Wales, with Network Rail supporting the maintenance of the track and signals.

Other major projects in west Wales include the refurbishment of Swansea station and the redoubling of Lougher – Gowerton, which is currently awaiting planning consents from local councils.