Fears for train link (From Western Telegraph)

Fears for train link

Fears that Fishguard's vulnerable train service could fall victim to a Beeching-style axe, as a result of the Strategic Rail Authority's latest demands, have strengthened the resolve of the North Pembrokeshire Transport Forum.

The SRA is stipulating that bidders for the new All-Wales franchise produce plans which will achieve cost savings of up to 20 per cent, and Assembly transport minister Sue Essex is under severe pressure not to accept the SRA demand and not to put value for money before vital public services.

Clive Williams, secretary of the Rail Passengers' Committee Wales, said railway professionals regarded a 20 per cent cut as a Beeching-style slashing with a fifth of the railway gone, as there is no fat to trim.

Mrs Hatti Woakes, secretary of the North Pembrokeshire Transport Forum, said the battle to maintain, and even improve, the Fishguard service would go on, which might mean having to bid for the special funding available from the SRA for non-commercial, non-profit-making services.

"The fund has a lot of money and when we spoke to the franchise bidders they said they would be prepared to put these sorts of bids forward," she added.

"We will carry on with the fight because we feel we have every right to a decent rail service, for which there is a proven demand. No service west of Swansea is going to make money, but we have the evidence that all types of potential passengers - business people, holidaymakers, the elderly - want to use the trains if there is a service. People have made it clear they are fed up with long car journeys, traffic and parking problems."