PLAID Cymru has stepped up its campaign for a new platform in Cogan on the Penarth railway line.

Since the party launched the campaign in May local campaigners have been talking to the people of Cogan and Penarth about the need for an additional railway halt in Cogan. The new platform would be based on the Tesco side of the railway line behind Penarth Motors, and would serve passengers travelling from Cardiff to Penarth. It would replace the former Penarth Docks railway halt, that was closed in 1968 when the Penarth line was reduced to a single track following the Beeching Axe.

The campaign maintains that the Barry to Cardiff line is over capacity at peak times, and is set to get far worse with the draft Local Development Plan for housing in Barry and Dinas Powys. Campaigners warn that with extensive housing and leisure facilities being built in Cardiff Sports Village, which is connected to Penarth by the Pont y Werin bridge, there is an increased demand for improved transport services.

The party warn that there is a "serious risk" that people of Cogan may soon find it difficult to get on a train at peak times.

Campaigner David Wilton, of Penarth Plaid Cymru, argues that the Penarth line has peak-time capacity and can offer a better alternative for Cogan residents, thus freeing up capacity on the Barry-Cardiff line.

He said: “We have written to the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Welsh Government, Network Rail, and Arriva Trains Wales requesting that a new platform is constructed on the Penarth line.

"Plaid has been knocking doors as part of our conversations and has distributed 6,000 leaflets. We’ve had a very positive response.

"A new platform would make a real difference not just to people of Cogan, but for regular commuters on Barry and Dinas Powys if some demand was taken off that line by Cogan and Llandough residents using the quieter Penarth line.

"Plaid’s Westminster and Assembly candidates, Ben Foday and Dafydd Trystan Davies, have pledged their support for this campaign.“

A Network Rail spokeswoman welcomed the plans, but questioned where the funding would come for a new railway halt.

“Over the next five years, we will deliver the biggest investment in the Welsh railway since Victorian times," she said.

“This will see us modernise and transform the railway in Wales through electrification, new signalling technology and upgraded stations.

“We are also working with our funders and partners to see how the railway can respond to future increases in demand and new journey patterns, and we welcome the opportunity to consider new station proposals with our funders.”