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SEVEN new train stations are coming to the UK under the Government’s £14billion rail funding promise.

Sir Keir Starmer said the commitment to rail infrastructure improvements was an “investment for the long term”.

The seven new stations will be built at Magor and Undy, Llanwern, Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Cardiff Parkway and Deeside industrial park.

A Welsh government source told the BBC it was “the biggest day in devolution”.

The government already announced £445m for rail projects in Wales last year and it has now revealed that money will go towards building each of the seven stations.

These new stations mean workers will find it easier to commute into Cardiff and Newport.

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Work will begin on five of the south east stations later this year, with construction on two of them beginning in 2029.

No timescales have been announced, but it is thought that Magor and Undy will be the first station to be completed.

The UK government believes Cardiff Parkway in east Cardiff could serve 800,000 passengers every year and support around 6,000 jobs.

Cardiff Central Station is also being upgraded with work due to begin this spring.

The Transport for Wales vision plan also outlines dozens of projects to boost the rail network in Wales.

It includes “Cardiff crossrail” extensions, direct services between Cardiff and Liverpool, a station at St Clears, services between west Wales and Bristol, and more trains to Pembroke Dock.

According to the UK government, Transport for Wales estimates the total cost of all the schemes under consideration to be “up to £14bn”.

A POPULAR lido that opened in the 1930s with its own sunbathing solarium could be demolished to make way for new homes.

The building was used as a bingo hall in recent years but has been vacant since 2023.

Opened to the public on July 10, 1935, Sale Lido also boasted shops and restaurants.

Its main feature was a 130-ft long swimming pool, which could be covered over to form a dancefloor during the winter months.

Now, plans have been submitted jointly by McCarthy Stone and Built Development Ltd which, if approved, would see most of the building in Trafford, Greater Manchester, torn down. 

The developers claimed Mecca, which recently operated a bingo hall on the site, had pulled out due to its “state of disrepair”.

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Developers said this has led to water leaking into the building and has affected its structure, reported the Manchester Evening News.

Just the lido’s facade would remain under the scheme proposed by the two companies, with two new blocks of flats constructed on adjacent land.

In a Facebook post, residents urged Trafford Council to refuse planning permission.

One wrote: “The Lido’s a Sale landmark, knocking it down would be a stupid decision – even if the facade is kept!

“Is there any kind of form to sign that’s against this happening?” 

Another person posted: “More lovely architecture replaced by grey boxes. Why can’t they keep the building?”

A third person said: “Please keep this iconic building. It’s part of Sale.”

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “An application has been submitted at the site of the former Sale Lido for a housing development of 40 retirement apartments and 39 affordable homes.

“The application is under consideration by the Council and will be determined in due course.”

A POPULAR UK holiday park has gone into administration after nearly 20 years.

The future of the resort, which features a retail village, golf course, and theatres, currently remains uncertain.

Stonham Barns Park, based in the Suffolk countryside, filed the notice on Monday, February 16.

David Hudson and David Hinrichsen of FRP Advisory have been appointed as joint administrators following a period of financial pressure on the business”.

The administrators confirmed they are focused on continuing to trade the site while seeking a buyer, with the aim of securing the park’s future as a going concern.

All existing holiday bookings will be honoured, and the site will continue to take new bookings, with all facilitiesoperating as normal throughout the administration process. 

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David Hudson, joint administrator and partner at FRP, told The Sun: “We are very much focussed on business as usual and want to reassure guests with existing bookings that these are unaffected.

“Anyone considering booking a visit can make one with confidence too.  

“We are actively marketing the site for sale and would welcome bidders who see the opportunity here with a well-established and popular caravan park.” 

Located conveniently on the A1120 tourist route, Stonham Barns Park was first opened in 1987, with the current management taking over in 2001.

Stonham Barns eventually evolved into a multi-facility destination, offering fun for all the family for 362 days of the year.

The park is famous for hosting niche enthusiast shows, including historic re-enactments of the Viking era, as well as classic car shows and darts tournaments.

Visitors can also enjoy countless onsite attractions, including an indoor soft play area, a pirate-themed adventure golf, a vibrant shopping village, an owl sanctuary and Meerkat castle, fair rides, and fishing lakes.

The park is also popular with golf enthusiasts, offering a nine hole golf course, simulator bays, a street golf driving range, a chip n putt course, golf darts, and foot golf.

Stonham Barns Showground is also located within the park, hosting numerous events throughout the year, including an annual dog show and a Christmas spectacular.

Visitors can also rent or buy holiday homes on-site, including luxury lodges situated around the scenic lake.

In December, the HMRC issued the park with a Winding Up Petition, a last‑resort enforcement tool when other collection options have been exhausted.

A deadline was reported for the end of January, with no official amount disclosed.

At the time of issue, company directors publicly stated that the park was fully in funds to meet the obligation and that there was no risk to the ongoing operation of the resort and its on‑site businesses.

The Sun has reached out to Stonham Barns for comment.