Singer backs gas bus project (From Western Telegraph)

Singer backs gas bus project

CHART-TOPPING singer David Gray was back in his home county last Friday to lend his support to the gas powered bus, dubbed the Celtic Coaster.

Despite the rainy morning, he was glad to be back.

I still definitely regard Pembrokeshire as home he said.

Its where I belong.

The wheelchair accessible bus, which runs on liquid petroleum gas, provides a service around the St Davids Peninsula, and has been running since July.

Jointly managed by Pembrokeshire Greenways officer, Kirsty Morris, and Pembrokeshire County Councils innovative transport officer, Ceri Rees, it will continue to operate until September 3rd.

David, who grew up in Pembrokeshire, thought the bus was a great idea and was impressed that it covered some of the more neglected routes. He hoped the new scheme would be a raging success enabling people to visit the more remote places in the county.

This is off the beaten track - Im more than happy to lend my voice to it, he said at Porthclais, near St Davids.

Although no stranger to using public transport in Pembrokeshire while growing up, David acknowledged it could be a bit hit and miss. There seemed to be a four-buses-a-week policy! he said.

One of the Celtic Coaster aims is to reduce the number of cars on the road and cut down the effects of pollution on the environment.

This sentiment was wholly endorsed by the singer, keen to help the progression of sustainable transport.

People are conditioned into using their cars. Its quite a thing to change peoples minds, he said.

As a child who enjoyed the wonderful summers in Pembrokeshire, David admitted the winters were more of a challenge.

It makes you very creative, he said, acknowledging that the Pembrokeshire landscape contributed in part to his work. Pembrokeshire has made a huge connection with me, he added.