Direct London rail service may be axed (From Western Telegraph)

Direct London rail service may be axed

FIRST GREAT WESTERNS proposal to end direct train services between Fishguard and London next year has sent shock waves through the county.

But, since a direct service is not part of First Great Westerns public service requirement, it is feared there is little that can be done to change the situation.

Ironically, the eight trains a day serving Holyhead are six over the public service requirement.

Guy Hardy, of Milford Haven, a member of the Rail Passengers Council, said the proposal, which means ferry passengers will have to change at Swansea, humping their luggage from platform to platform at 3.30 am, will do nothing to increase passenger numbers.

It is very inconvenient and will only boost the air services, he said. A First Great Western spokesman said no definite decision had yet been made. But passenger numbers on the service had fallen drastically. In 1999 the average was 26 per journey from Fishguard and 25 from Carmarthen. The summer service had averaged only 18 per 480-seat train. The decline, he said, could be the result of low-cost flights to Ireland. Admitting the proposal had taken Pembrokeshire County Council by surprise, transport cabinet member, Councillor Brian Hall, said urgent meetings will be sought with First Great Western and the Strategic Rail Authority and the matter will be taken up with the National Assembly. We are hoping for marked improvements to rail services in this part of the world. Sue Essex, the Assembly minister responsible for transport, shares our commitment to the development of rail service in Wales and I would like to arrange an urgent meeting with her, he said.

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Jackie Lawrence said: This will be the first time in the 100 years the service has been in operation that there will be no direct link.

Councillor Brian Howells, of Fishguard, commented: This is a classic example of providing a poorer service which leads to less demand. If the service was improved then more passengers would use it. A Stena spokesman said the daytime service already meant changing at Swansea or Cardiff and no detrimental effect on the ferry service was envisaged.

Managing director of Wales and Borders Trains, Chris Gibb, said: We have already increased our services to and from Fishguard this year, following the decision of First Great Western to withdraw its daytime service during high summer. We also have long-term aspirations to extensively develop services to Fishguard in future, should Wales and Borders Trains win the bid for the franchise next year.

We will be providing a robust replacement service, with through trains wherever possible, and are also investigating ways to improve upon current services.