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New Welsh Government rail map raises campaigners’ hope for a north-south railway

18 Sep 2021 4 minute read
Picture by the Welsh Government

A new map published by the Welsh Government has raised campaigners’ hopes for a new north-south railway line.

The map published this month showed existing lines and also a green arrow pointing down from Bangor towards the south of Wales.

A second map (below) showing the entire network shows a link between Bangor, Caernarfon and Porthmadog.

The campaign group Traws Link Cymru was formed in 2013 with aim of reinstating the railway lines between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen, and Afon Wen to Bangor, both of which were closed to passengers under the 1960s Beeching Cuts.

They have interpreted the new maps as a sign that the Afon Wen to Bangor part of the route, at least, may now be under serious consideration as part of the so-called North Wales Metro.

Detail of the North Wales Metro network map

Civil engineer Bob Saxby from Traws Link Cymru told Golwg 360 he did not see any problem with the connection between Bangor and Afon Wen reopening.

“I can’t see any major problems with using the old trackbed through to Afonwen, much of which still exists,” he said.

“In the few places where new roads have trespassed on the line, new bridges would need to be built and possibly some sections of the road realigned, as has been done elsewhere,” he said.

“The tunnel under Castle Square in Caernarfon would need to be converted back from road to rail use but has very little traffic and would be even less needed as a road when the Caernarfon Bypass open.

“There is room for a railway to go between Morrison car park and the council car park under the car park behind Asda, to a station very close to the walled town and bus station.

“As well as encouraging visitors to come here by train, taking the pressure of the A55 as well as local roads and car parks, a railway would enable local people to get jobs along the north of Wales coast rather than having to move to away to find work. ”

‘Sustainable’

These new images are said to show transport priorities up until 2029.

The maps were released as Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters visited Wrexham General Station to see the work that is taking place on the metro scheme.

He said that while these maps were not the “final picture” it showed the direction of travel.

The Deputy Minister said: “In North Wales, we have put in place the foundations for transformative rail and bus services and active travel.

“Alongside reducing rural isolation and opening-up job, business and leisure opportunities across north Wales, these plans will also play a vital part in developing the region’s wider economy.

“Our transport network will change the way we travel by creating modern, sustainable bus, rail and cycling and walking networks, creating a range of work and leisure opportunities while reducing the environmental impact.

“They also will play a critical role in delivering the priorities and objectives of our ambitious new transport strategy, Y Llwybr Newydd and helping us meet our target of 45% of journeys being made by public transport or active travel by 2040, helping to reduce road congestion, carbon emissions and air pollution.

“People right across Wales can soon expect a network of routes and interchanges that offer faster, more frequent and reliable services on more comfortable, accessible, and greener vehicles.

“However, we cannot achieve our shared ambitions to address climate change without the UK Government’s support to deliver these programmes where passengers are heavily dependent on enhancements on Network Rail’s infrastructure.”


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Geoff Horton-Jones
Geoff Horton-Jones
2 years ago

Linking Carmarthen station to the Gwilli railway will cost very little and open up the real possibility of restoration of the line to Aberystwyth in structured phases.
The people of Wales should be able to invest in this project as our predecessors did for the creation of our universities

Mathew Rees
Mathew Rees
2 years ago

Sadly, like most heritage railway lines, they are run and staffed by quite fiery and unbending individuals. They would rather keep their few miles of rusty rail than have the whole line reopened.

j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago

I’m up for that. I like the idea of us owning stuff, schools, own supermarkets………………..

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago

Pull our money out of HS2 and spend it in Wales…I wish…

Sion Cwilt
Sion Cwilt
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

No need for racist slurs. Your comment has been flagged by me.

Christian
Christian
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Pretty sure Mab said ‘our’ money!?

It would be great to visit leafy Surbiton and the surrounding area. All very cosmopolitan 🙂

Barry Pandy
Barry Pandy
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

I can see from your ‘Union’ Jack (better known as the Butcher’s Apron) and your reference to Labour no longer representing the ‘British’ working class (there is no such thing) that you are one of those white, almost certainly English racist idiots who think the answer to the problems faced by the English working class lies with right-wing racist extremism. In fact, it was the policies of an extremist right-wing racist party (the Tories) that caused all of these problems in the first place. But of course to work this out would have required some critical thinking skills, something that… Read more »

Gareth
Gareth
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

The Welsh Affairs, UK Gov report, says the opposite to you. It appeared here on Nation Cymru saying HS2 will Disbenefit Wales and cause damage to the Welsh economy.
Also this article says the same.
http://stophs2.org/news/7893-wales-lose-hs2

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Gareth

No they say Wales as in the whole of wales but they actually mean South wales. To us in North Wales, it will be beneficial. Theres been numerous reports. Its just a bitter pill for those in the South of Wales to swallow.

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Gareth

(Incs North wales)

“Importance of Crewe HS2 hub to Chester and North Wales ‘cannot be overstated’, campaign group says – Cheshire Live” https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/importance-crewe-hs2-hub-chester-17792393.amp

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Gareth
Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Gareth

“Railways: North Wales: 11 Mar 2021: Hansard Written Answers – TheyWorkForYou” https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2021-03-08.164681.h&s=hs2

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Gareth

“HS2 – What does it do for Wales? – Wales Online” https://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/hs2–what-wales-2495008.amp

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Gareth

Prehaps if most of the commentators here weren’t South of Aberystwyth or in the south of England or Wales they would see how HS2 in time, will help “the North of wales”

Christian
Christian
2 years ago
Reply to  Llewelyn

In the same way Bristol Airport helps Wales? It’s great, we get to be a dirt track while England becomes the major hub for everything.

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Christian

Well Liverpool and Manchester Airport does benefit North Wales…..as its the only ones within reasonable distance for international flights. (Yes, I know there’s one in Anglesey, but its one flight a day) The fact you used Bristol as a reference shows you don’t understand the fact that in “the North of Wales” we need to go to England to get a lot of things due to Geography, demographics and time. Using Bristol just shows your looking at the Argument through a South walian view. Prehaps if you lived in “the North” you would at least get my point and using… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Llewelyn
Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

The clue is in the name Llew bach…

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Annibynieth I gogledd cymro o Caerdydd. Gogledd cymru am Byth!

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago
Reply to  Llewelyn

Free the Great Orme Goats

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

And the Carneddau ponies!!

Ap Kenneth
Ap Kenneth
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Hs2 is looking increasingly shaky and it will be interesting to see if it actually makes Crewe. The only help it gives the north of Wales is that it COULD give a few more services to London, and that is dependent on more exprenditure on the north coast route which past experience should have taught you is last on the priority list of the Dept of Transport in London. More of a problem are the pinch points into Manchester by Oxford Rd station which Hs2 will not change.

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Ap Kenneth

I Know, I can’t disagree with anything you said. My point was just that some people aren’t anti HS2, just Anti English, even if what happens to the east of wales benefits North Wales.

Although we aren’t the “”North of wales”. We are North Wales.

Last edited 2 years ago by Llewelyn
Paul Reynolds
Paul Reynolds
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

As part of the economic development of a large advanced economy (France, Japan, China, Germany).

A high speed rail link provides the biggest return on investment for the entire nation,

And yes, I know, “A study says it will affect the Welsh ecomony”, but I have yet to see this study or who wrote it that knows better than the thousands of people involved with HS2.

Pembrokeshire resident
Pembrokeshire resident
2 years ago

Having worked in a rural community for over 50 years, I would not have been able to work without a car. The rail links don’t exist, I couldn’t cycle or walk the distances required. As a single parent I also had to collect children from after school care.
While I appreciate environmental concerns, and that this will work if you live and work in a reasonably populated area, it isn’t logistically possible for some areas.

Eifion
Eifion
2 years ago

There is something perversely British, that the only option I have to visit my daughter in uni at Aberystwyth is a two hours drive, although we’re only 40 miles away. While if you live in an English city like Birmingham you’ve got a direct train link.

Gareth
Gareth
2 years ago
Reply to  Eifion

Comparing Birmingham and Aberystwyth is a bit like comparing apples and oranges though isn’t it?

hdavies15
hdavies15
2 years ago
Reply to  Gareth

He’s not comparing Aber to Brum, he is citing the fact that there is a direct rail link between the 2 places while places in Wales, especially south of Aber have some of the worst roads ever to be labelled “major routes”. The A487 from Aberteifi is awful, the various routes from Carmarthen and the Tywi Valley are just as bad, and the A470 & A44 bringing you up from various parts of S.E Wales is grim once the A465 is crossed. I’m sure people from the N.W could make a similar case, while getting from say Wrexham in the… Read more »

j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago
Reply to  hdavies15

Google “In Britain we are doomed” to see Clarkson’s Vid, just to see what can now be done in hilly areas.

Last edited 2 years ago by j humphrys
Crwtyn Cemais
Crwtyn Cemais
2 years ago
Reply to  j humphrys

Mae’r un peth yn wir o draffyrdd Y Swistir…~ The same is true of Switzerland’s motorways…

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago

Very good that Afon wen line may be reinstated. Useful for the communities along the line, but if you did want to get to Cardifff, due to Geography it would still be quicker to go very Hereford.

Ask any North Walian and we’d properly want faster links to Crewe, where trains leave for everywhere. Inc Cardiff.

About time us gogs ruled our own affairs.

Last edited 2 years ago by Llewelyn
Ian Hunter
Ian Hunter
2 years ago
Reply to  Llewelyn

Can we try for #Annibyniaeth for the whole of Cymru before the Gogs secede 🙂

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Ian Hunter

Nope, it started up here, so it starts first up here.

Christian
Christian
2 years ago
Reply to  Llewelyn

You do realise that for centuries the English dictated exactly what happend in Wales. We were a hole. Then the Senedd came and improved with very little funding areas of Wales ( not all granted ) . Now you reckon that England can give you powers, no extra money though and you will improve everything. West Wales has similar issues to North Wales but we don’t make it east, West thing. Wise up.

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Christian

I don’t need to wide up. Just because my opinion to yours is different, it doesn’t make it wrong. Let’s face it, Cardiff just thinks of Labour supporters. Us in the west and North are an inconvenience. Maybe you should wise up, and realise being a useful fool to cardiff serves no purpose for either of us. I’m fully aware of welsh history. Infact even much so if you want to play that card, the seat of government for Wales was historically in the mid and North Wales. Historically Cardiff was never the capital. To correct this wrong I suggest… Read more »

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago
Reply to  Llewelyn

Aberystwyth or Aberffraw…it’s a brave man or woman who would suggest Machynlleth on here though…

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Mab Meirion

Well St Asaph would be best in a modern sense. Aberystwyth would be good as well. Even Chester should be thrown in the hat.

Imagine if the capital was in any of those three, you could hear the cries now.

Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
2 years ago
Reply to  Llewelyn

Aberystwyth gets my vote out those three, with a weekly ferry north and south, mind you my old county town of Dolgellau might throw its hat in the ring too…amser cinio…ta ra

Last edited 2 years ago by Mab Meirion
j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago
Reply to  Llewelyn

Yeah, the striplings of Caerlleon would guarantee a friendly hand from the lads of Wrecsam! Lol!!

j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago
Reply to  Ian Hunter

Llewelyn leading the charge, looks back, no one’s there……………

Crwtyn Cemais
Crwtyn Cemais
2 years ago
Reply to  Llewelyn

Dim problem o’r Gogs yn erbyn yr Hwntws ydy, ond Senedd San Steffan yn erbyn Senedd Cymru ~ It’s not an issue of Gogs versus Hwntws (South Walians) but the Westminster Parliament versus the Welsh Parliament.

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
2 years ago

Wales will never have rail connectivity between North & South if left to Whitehall. Ask yourself this question. Why? I’ll answer. We’re not worth it and it doesn’t benefit England directly. It’s stated by Whitehall in the past that it would cost too much money due to problematic landscape. Bit like the excuses given how Welsh people pay more for water than their English counterparts even though their water came from the same source in Wales, with the excuse due to our hilly landscape had to pump water uphill. Yes, quite. Oh, but they (Whitehall) in their day managed build… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Y Cymro
Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

Annibynieth I Gogledd cymru o Caerdydd. Gogledd cymru am byth.

Wrexhamian
Wrexhamian
2 years ago
Reply to  Llewelyn

We’re all in this together, Llewelyn, gogs and hwntws. You’re right that Cardiff Bay has neglected the north, but it’s also neglected the Valleys and allowed the One Planet Development scam to requisition whole chunks of West Wales. Rhaid yr ymgyrch annibyniaeth yn cynnwys pob rhannau o’r gwlad.

Paul Reynolds
Paul Reynolds
2 years ago
Reply to  Y Cymro

So that is 6 billion euros for one tunnel. Factor that up and consider the other costs. Let’s estimate 25 billion.

How would that be funded and subsequently pay for itself?

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