A NEW train station at Caerleon and improvements to existing stations at Abergavenny, Pontypool and New Inn and Cwmbran, are among the proposals up for public consultation.

The South East Wales Transport Alliance (SEWTA) is canvassing the views of members of the public on its report looking at possible improvements to rail provision along the Abergavenny to Newport line.

The March 2011 report, entitled 'Abergavenny to Newport Rail Corridor Option Development and Appraisal,' suggests three options for development.

The basic option includes improving the interchange and parking facilities at stations in Abergavenny and Cwmbran, providing a disabled access bridge at Cwmbran along with basic improvements at Pontypool and New Inn station.

The medium option proposals build on the basic level with developing Pontypool and New Inn station to improve parking and access to the A4042, and adding an infill service going from Abergavenny to Cardiff.

Proposals for the enchanced option include all of the above with an additional hourly service between Cardiff and Abergavenny and creating a new station at Caerleon.

The report, compiled by Capita Symonds, recommends the medium option with the addition of the new Caerleon station.

It states: "The medium option results in over 168,000 new rail trips (105,000 from station improvements and 63,000 from frequency enhancements). It is anticipated that around half of these trips would transfer from the car. Caerleon Station would add another 93,000 new trips. In all this is a forecast patronage increase on the route of 32 per cent compared to the existing situation."

Now SEWTA is calling on the public to give their views of the plans which are available via the link below.

Comments can be emailed to sewtaconsultation@capita.co.uk or posted to Alison Walker, Ty Gwent, Lake View, Llantarnam Park, Cwmbran NP44 3HR.

The consultation closes on March 12.