It was originally opened by the Pontypool, Caerleon and Newport Railway.

[1] The station was opened as "Pontnewydd" by the Pontypool, Caerleon and Newport Railway on 21 December 1874.

[2][3] After a period of temporary closure between 1917 and 1919, the station was renamed "Lower Pontnewydd" on 1 July 1925 to distinguish it from Upper Pontnewydd to the west on the Monmouthshire Railway and Canal.

[2][3] The station closed to passengers on 9 June 1958, with the goods yard remaining in use until 25 January 1965.

When Cwmbran railway station was reopened by British Rail on 12 May 1986,[7][8] it was at a site 300m to the south of Lower Pontnewydd.