Welsh Lib Dems call for improvements to Heart of Wales line
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have urged the Welsh Government to improve train services on the Heart of Wales line.
Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds MS says the government must do more to revitalise the aging fleet of trains currently running on the line, with many being refurbished engines dating from the 1980’s.
She also criticised a decision by Transport for Wales (TFW) to reduce the number of trains on the line from five to four per day from December, warning it could have a “devastating” impact on rural communities.
TfW also confirmed the “removal of the two late evening services to Llandovery and Llandrindod.”
Breakdowns
A recent Freedom of Information request has revealed that there were 2,317 train breakdowns reported in 2023, with over 2,000 services being cancelled as a result of train failure.
The total amount of refunds given out to customers as a result of a delayed train in the past calendar year came to £2,314,714.
MS Dodds said: “I am very disappointed to hear that the number of trains running on the Heart of Wales line will be reduced to only four per day. This line serves as a vital link for most of mid Wales, and any decision to limit services could have a devastating impact on our already isolated rural communities.
“Our transport system is not up to standards, and it is our hardworking commuters who are being left to deal with the consequences of years of neglect.
“Last year alone there were over 2,000 services cancelled as a result of a train breaking down, this is not acceptable, and the people of Wales deserve better.
“They deserve a transport system that works for them, not one which relies on trains far past their sell-by date.
On the 4th of July, voters across Wales will have the chance to show Welsh Labour that they will not accept their nonsense for much longer.”
The Party’s candidate for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe, David Chadwick, added:“For far too long now the needs of our rural communities have been cast aside by both the Conservatives Westminster and Labour Cardiff Bay.
“The decision to slash the number of trains running on the Heart of Wales line, a vital transport link for many in mid Wales, is further evidence of this rural neglect and risks trapping our communities in a cycle of decline.
“We as Welsh Liberal Democrats have always stood by our rural communities, and if elected I will carry on this proud tradition.”
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Transport for De Cymru yn unig…The Cambrian Line !
The figures given apply to the whole of Wales not just the Heart of Wales line where the figures are far worse for cancellations, breakdowns and late running. With 5 months of the year gone, Llandovery has seen only 7 days on which all trains ran their public timetabled route and were within 5 minutes of their timetabled time. The first day, Sunday Jan 7th with only 4 trains, was the first day on which it had happened since August 20th 2023. [Figures from Network Rail’s public data feed.] People have given up travelling on the line and a reduction… Read more »
The recently released timetable places even fewer services on the network at a time it should be seeking to grow. This was planned as the launch of our summer campaign and is linked to the request for ideas from the Lib Dem Portfolio holder responsible for Public Transport at Powys as to the possible services to go into the next tender for bus services from 2025.
Of course a certain election is now in the way but improving public transport options is a priority for the current Powys Cabinet
There so many loved and successful railways in Cymru…if only they could scale up…