Great Western Coffee Shop

Hi All,

Yesterday decided to take nephew on Train to Ebbw Vale has I wanted to see the new link, it was a great trip great scenary okay Ebbw Vale parkway a bit out of the town so caught same train back to Newbridge and had a hour there. Return was a four carriage 150? ( Think) and it was well used. Would recommend this to anybody.

Now the downside, when we left Cardiff at 10.30 the were erecting barriers something about Speedway in the City. When we arrived into Cardiff at 13.37 they directed everybody to leave at the back of the Station, unless you were using a onward connection.

I am used to this and said I was using a connecting train and proceed to Walk out the front, to an empty station, all other people unless they did what I did were left with having a good Five minute walk to get them back around to the front for buses etc To me it just seems crazy.

Basset

I'm guessing they operate a kind of one way system when major events are on. In one entrance, out the other.

It may seem crazy but considering the crowds that gather at the station it needs to be done, especially with close proximity of the station to the stadium. In all fairness the crowd control at Cardiff is more often than not well run in my experience with few people left inconveinanced as information is clear with large numbers of staff/security/police on hand to offer assistance

Yes I understand the reason because of Stadium, it should have been moved to a greenfield site, but they were operating a one way system at 13.30 when most people were coming into Cardiff, I dont think the crowds from the Stadium were due out till late,

And that the whole point, so called intergrated transport in Cardiff has been ruined by the Stadium and Cardiff Bus. When we had the old stadium and a couple of rugby internationals with ease you could get around Cardiff now if there is a squeak of an event at the new stadium all hell breaks loose what with barriers Stations closing ( Queen Street usually) buses diverted and if you arrive back at these times and you live on the east side of the city well you just have to add a further five to ten minute walk. Hey thats progress makes me think I take up driving lessons.
Basset

I think it's actually quite good for a major venue to be close to transport hubs. I've visited the Cardiff Arms Park/National Stadium/Millennium Stadium on numerous occasions down the years for sporting events and concerts. A particular favourite was U2 in 1993. It's great to be able to step off an Inter-City train and only have a short walk to the venue. Much better than a venue out in the 'burbs.