St. Athan railway station

St Athan railway station was a railway station in South Wales.

St Athan
The site of the station in 2009
General information
Location	St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan Wales
Coordinates	51.4052°N 3.4545°W / 51.4052; -3.4545
Platforms	2
Other information
Status	Disused
History
Original company	Great Western Railway
Key dates
1 September 1939	opened as St Athan Halt
3 May 1943	renamed St Athan
15 June 1964	closed

Opening

When RAF St Athan opened in the late 1930s, it caused the Vale of Glamorgan Line to experience a much-needed surge in traffic.^[1] The nearest station was Gileston. Whilst this was convenient for the eastern area of the base, the western part was poorly served.^[2] This caused the Great Western Railway to open a new halt on the line. Despite its name, it was over two miles away from St Athan. In 1943, the halt was upgraded to a station to reflect its growing importance. However, many local people still referred to it as 'the halt'.^[3]

Description

St. Athan halt was located to the east of a bridge that carried the former main road between Llantwit Major and Barry. From 1 September 1939, the halt had served the West Camp site of RAF St. Athan and it occupied a very cramped position in a cutting. It changed to 'station' status on 3 May 1943 but along with all Vale of Glamorgan Branch stations closed in June 1964. The booking office was at road level and was linked to both platforms below by long ramps. Each platform had a wooden shelter.^[4]

Closure

The station closed in 1964 when passenger services were withdrawn on the line. Although they were restored in 2005, there is no longer any station at St Athan. In February 2024 it was announced that the UK government has backed a proposal to reopen the Station.^[5]

Preceding station		Disused railways		Following station
Gileston		Great Western Railway Vale of Glamorgan Line		Llantwit Major

Notes

1. Chapman 1998, p. 79
2. Chapman 1998, p. 79
3. Chapman 1998, p. 80
4. Chapman 1998, p. 147
5. "New railway station backed for the Vale of Glamorgan".

References

Chapman, Colin (1998) The Vale of Glamorgan Railway The Oakwood Press