PROGRESS is being made on a project to build a railway station at Magor.

Cabinet member for county operations, Cllr Brian Jones, has recommended Monmouthshire council takes forward work on a business case.

This is so members and officers can develop it in line with the South East Wales Transport Alliance's (SEWTA) programme requirements, the Welsh Government and Network Rail.

Bids to pay for it would have to be made to SEWTA as part of its yearly regional spend.

The station project has been led by the Magor Action Group on Rail (MAGOR), who said in February they had one last shot at completing it by 2018.

In 2008, Monmouthshire council and SEWTA had to decide whether to invest in improvements to Severn Tunnel Junction or work to provide a new station at Magor.

The Severn Tunnel Junction project was chosen.

But now a public consultation has found a high number of commuters travel there from the growing populations of Magor and Undy.

Ted Hand set up the MAGOR group, whose members believe a new station could revolutionise travel for 9,000 people who could access the station by foot or bicycle in less than 15 minutes.

Magor advisor and rail expert Phil Inskip produced a business plan which shows the main road through the village sees around 11,000 vehicle movements per day and 60 bus services.

He said over the past few months the group has been pressing for the council to commit to the Magor campaign: "As a group we are very pleased this is formally happening. The two stations are potentially viable, a Southampton University evaluation indicates Magor is good value for money but SEWTA and the Welsh Government will have the final say."

Mark Youngman, the council's transport policy and compliance manager was due to meet the Magor group yesterday to discuss the next steps.