Milestones

Traws Link Cymru formed in Lampeter, Ceredigion

Debate in the Senedd in Cardiff; cross-party support for the campaign

Meeting with, and support from, Network Rail, Cardiff

Adopted as official party policy by the Welsh Liberal Democrats

Motion of support from Carmarthenshire County Council

Motion of support from Ceredigion County Council

Meeting with Stephen Crabb MP, Secretary of State for Wales. L to R: Adrian Kendon and Mike Walker (TLC), Mark Williams MP Ceredigion), Stephen Crabb, Flora McNerney (TLC), London.

Meeting between TLC and Welsh Government Officials, Cardiff. L to R. Gareth Roberts, Geraint Blayney, Flora McNerney, Mike Walker and Nigel Bird (TLC); James Price (Director General, Economy, Science and Transport, Welsh Government and two Government Officials, Cardiff.

£30,000 allocated by the Welsh Government for a Scoping Study into the reopening of the line

First meeting between TLC and the consultants AECOM, Cardiff

Scoping Study published

Meeting to evaluate Scoping Study: representatives from the Welsh Government, Carmarthenshire County Council; Ceredigion County Council, AECOM, Arriva Trains Wales, Network Rail, GWR and TLC, Aberystwyth

Support for a Full Feasibility Study in Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrat and Green Party manifestos for the Welsh Assembly elections

Meeting with Leanne Wood, Leader Plaid Cymru. L. to R. Ellen ap Gwynn, Chair Ceredigion CC, Geraint Blayney, Mike Walker, Flora McNerney (TLC), Elin Jones AM, Leanne Wood, Adrian Kendon, Dylan Wilson-Lewis (TLC).

Meeting with Tim Farron, Leader Liberal Democrats, Elizabeth Evans,prospective AM for Ceredigion, John Lewis and Dylan Wilson-Lewis (TLC), Aberystwyth

Welsh Government announces funding of £300k for a full Feasibility study into the reopening of the line. Contract awarded to Mott MacDonald

Meeting with Guto Bebb MP, Under-Secretary for Transport, London. L to R. Mark Williams MP, Ceredigion, Guto Bebb, Mike Walker, Adrian Kendon and Gareth Roberts (TLC)

Meeting at the Senedd between Traws Link Cymru and Ken Skates, Minister for Economy and Transport. Gareth Roberts, Dylan Wilson-Lewis (TLC), Elin Jones AM and Presiding Officer, Adrian Kendon (TLC)

Meeting between TLC, Mott MacDonald and Transport for Wales to discuss the Feasibility Study

Publication of the Feasibility Study

Meetings between TLC and Plaid Cymru, Lampeter. Left: Ben Lake MP, Jonathan Edwards, MP, Mike Walker, Dylan Wilson-Lewis (TLC) Elin Jones MS, Senedd Presiding Officer, Adam Price MS, Leader Plaid Cymru. Right: Mike Walker, Elin Jones MS, Ben Lake MP, John Lewis, Geraint Blayney, Dylan Wilson-Lewis (TLC)

Debate in Westminster Hall on the reopening of the Aberystwyth to Carmarthen railway convened by Jonathan Edwards, MP for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr attracted strong cross-party support

Presentation by TLC at Plaid Cymru Annual Conference, Swansea. Mike Walker TLC), Elin Jones MS, Ben Lake MP, Geraint Blayney (TLC)

Publication by TLC of ‘A New Strategic Rail Corridor for West Wales’.

‘A New Strategic Rail Corridor for West Wales’ uploaded onto the Welsh Government Department for Transport and Economy website.

Launch of the new Traws Link Cymru website.

 Meeting in Aberystwyth between Traws Link Cymru and Jane Dodds, Regional MS for Mid- and West Wales. From left to right: Jane Dodds; Adrian Kendon (TLC), Mike Walker (TLC) and Dylan Wilson-Lewis (TLC)

Two experimental timber trains have recently been run between Aberystwyth and the Kronospan Timber Manufacturer in Chirk. Two Class 37 diesel units hauled ten flat-bed truck loaded with almost 800 tons of timber. This is equivalent to more that 30 timber lorries which would be removed from the roads of West Wales.

The experiment was deemed a success and could well lead to further shipment of timber along the line, providing that the appropriate loading facilities can be established at the sidings by Aberystwyth station.

Traws Link Cymru has always argued that timber could be a major component of goods traffic on a reopened Aberystwyth to Carmarthen line, given the amount of timber which is now ready for felling on the hills of West Wales.

The benefits would not only be in reduced wear and tear on roads in the area by heavily-loaded timber lorries, but a significant reduction in heavy vehicle traffic which would make the roads safer, while at the same time reducing the carbon footprint in line with Welsh Government policy. 

Author:   David Gowan & Vernon Parry
Published:   2023 for Cymdeithas Hanes Llambed /The Lampeter History Society
Format:   Paperback, 44 pages, 64 photographs and maps.

Price: £8.00

This new book contains hitherto unpublished photographs of the Lampeter and Aberayron lines shortly before closure to traffic in the mid-1960s. It is written by a former civil servant and diplomat, David Gowan, and the photographs are by his godfather, Vernon Parry. Both men knew the Teifi Valley area well, and the book is an affectionate testament to the railways of Cardiganshire in the last days of steam before the fall of the Beeching axe.

A reviewer has commented: Apart from its historical value, Quiet between Trains is quite possibly the most charming railway book of the year and is highly recommended.

Great to see Rt Hon Elin Jones MS and Welsh Actress Gillian Elisa at the Lampeter Food Festival.

Meeting with Natasha Ashgar MS over Teams.

Conservative Shadow Spokesperson for Transport in the Senedd.

In late September, North Wales Councillor Elfed ap Eilwyn walked the 206 miles from Bangor to Cardiff to publicise a Petition calling for the reopening of railway lines in West Wales. He was met on the steps of the Senedd in Cardiff by members of the Petitions Committee who formally received the Petition, which consisted of the remarkable total of 12,916 signatures.

This was subsequently discussed by the Petitions Committee where it was agreed that it should be debated in the full chamber of the Senedd.

Meeting with Delyth Jewell MS over Teams