Overview

Officially known as Pontypool and New Inn Station, it first opened at the beginning of 1854 as Newport Road, but by the year's end was called Pontypool Road. Necessary for the burgeoning Welsh coal industry, which initially was carried by canals until the steam engine took over. Trains offered a faster and more economical way to transport coal and other freight around the country, and gradually the use of canals dwindled.

Pontypool Road, by the start of the 20th century, housed numerous junctions, sheds and sidings, and was becoming overwhelmed, necessitating the building of a larger station on a nearby site to deal with the sheer volume of passengers. Both World Wars required heavy reserves of coal, which all came through Pontypool Road, allowing the station and the surrounding workforce to thrive.

The post-war period saw station use decline, with many closing altogether. By the 1970s, the station had been renamed Pontypool, and in 1974 the area underwent a major redevelopment, including the replacement of the ticket office - the last of the original building, and in 2017, with the gradual increase of passenger numbers, the car park was expanded.

• How long does it take to walk from Pontypool Station to Pontypool town centre?

  • It takes approximately twenty-five minutes to walk the mile to Pontypool town centre, going via The Highway and Usk Road.

• What car parking facilities are available at Pontypool Station?

  • There are 24-hour car parking facilities at Pontypool Station.

• What facilities are there for bike storage at Pontypool Station?

  • Pontypool Station has storage facilities for 10 bikes.

• What other facilities are available at Pontypool Station?

  • Card telephones
  • Disabled access - step-free throughout, ramps are available, as are wheelchairs and induction loops