GROUNDWORK on a new railway station in Bow Street is due to be completed in the next two months.

Local councillor Paul Hinge confirmed this week following talks with the contractors, Alun Griffiths, that ground work on the new station at the south of the village is scheduled for completion by the end of November or beginning of December.

Construction work on the £8 million project began in November last year and was due to be completed this Summer.

However work on the site was suspended when the coronavirus crisis hit, but resumed with a smaller workforce on 4 May.

Explaining the decision to restart work, Griffiths said: “Operations on site have been modified as per advice given by the Construction Leadership Council: social distancing, enhanced PPE, what to do if someone falls ill, travel to site, hand washing, changing facilities, cleaning and awareness of the public, along with all expected safety measures and practices which would be in place normally.

“The safety of our workforce, travelling public and line-side neighbours is paramount; we will continue to monitor this developing situation and reflect this across our construction sites, to include Bow Street Station.”

Cllr Paul Hinge told the Cambrian News: “Despite restriction and a reduced work force, the team working have caught up with time lost.

“There was an issue with drainage which they have overcome and they are aiming to complete the roadworks by late November or early December.

“I am very pleased with the progress and thank the contractors for their work. They have been very vigilant during lockdown and it’s a testament that they have been able to catch up on work.

“I look forward to it finally being opened.”

Traffic lights will however return at the site next week as work continues on the entrance and newly designed junction with the A4159.

The new £8m train station is being funded by the Welsh Government and Department for Transport. It will include a park-and-ride, cycle storage and multi-modal transport interchange.

Bow Street is also in line to get new trains and an hourly weekday service from 2022, and other stations along the line will benefit from investment as part of TfWs £194 million Station Improvement Vision.