RAIL campaigners have one last shot at bringing a new station to Magor by 2018, they say.

Ted Hand, who set up the Magor Action Group on Rail (MAGOR) in May 2012, said Magor with Undy Walkway could be built for £5m next to a planned community centre in the village, a project in the pipeline with the Magor with Undy Sports and Leisure Association.

Mr Hand, who set up the group, believes a station could revolutionise travel for the 9,000 people who could access the station by foot or bicycle in less than 15 minutes, said: “I believe this is the last opportunity. If it’s not done now it’s never going to happen.”

MAGOR member Phil Inskip, who is also part of Railfuture and Monmouthshire’s joint rail working group, has produced a comprehensive business plan.

He obtained figures showing the main road through Magor, a popular commuter route, sees around 11,000 vehicle movements per day and 60 bus services.

As a result, the group wants a new station which would discourage car parking, to make a contribution to climate change.

The group proposes the community centre could become a ticket office, with commission from sales going straight back into it, as well as provide toilets and food.

Mr Hand, Mr Inskip and the group’s other members, Cllrs Frances Taylor, Jessica Crook and chairman Laurence Hando, have held meetings with more than 15 interested parties, including Newport East MP Jessica Morden, AMs John Griffiths and Jocelyn Davies, Sustrans and Network Rail.

Mr Inskip said: “It will only happen if there is a massive groundswell of support to put political pressure on to to take it forward.”

Cllr Taylor said: “I believe a community railway station which is accessible primarily by walking and cycling would be a major asset to the villages.”

The campaigners are hoping to make a presentation at the next Monmouthshire joint rail working group meeting with a view to getting the proposals included in SEWTA’s five-year budget and regional transport plan.

Mark Youngman, chairman of SEWTA, has offered to meet with MAGOR to discuss its case, the success of which will depend on resources and competing projects.

“I am certainly encouraged at what the group is doing.

“It’s better these schemes are driven by the community,” he added.

A public meeting will be held on March 14 in Magor Baptist Church at 7pm.

Magor’s original station closed in 1964 as part of a restructure of British railways and was demolished in 2003.