St Clears railway station could be reopened after 45 years (From Western Telegraph)

St Clears railway station could be reopened after 45 years

2:00pm Sunday 15th February 2009 in

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Plans to reopen St Clears railway station 45 years after it closed are gathering speed.

South Pembrokeshire and west Carmarthenshire AM Angela Burns and the town council are working together on the plan and hope to win widespread support from nearby communities.

Mrs Burns, who is also shadow regeneration minister, has set up a meeting with Network Rail to discuss the idea next month.

“We are also working on setting up a meeting with representatives from all the town and community councils from outlying areas that would benefit from the station reopening,” she said.

“We need to work together to submit a strong, coherent bid and we are hopeful that communities such as Laugharne, Pendine, Meidrim, Llanboidy and many more will be supporting us.”

The station was shut as part of the railway rationalisation programme in the 1960s.

But there are now plans for nearly 500 new homes in St Clears and many residents already commute to Carmarthen, Swansea and Haverfordwest. It is estimated that there are 10,000 people living in the catchment area, with that figure rising in the busy summer months. The working group is also drawing up a survey which will go out to households in the area.

“St Clears and its surrounding towns and villages would see a massive benefit from the reopening of the station,” added Mrs Burns.

“It will make it easier for residents to commute and will also bring shoppers to town. Local tourist businesses would also benefit hugely.

“We are all being encouraged to cut our carbon footprint, so it makes more sense than ever to reopen the station.”