Wales BRTA Study
BRTA’s overview of rail re-openings, capacity enhancements and new stations in Wales.
BRTA campaigns for better rail in Wales.
Ymgyrchoedd BRTA dros reilffyrdd gwell yng Nghymru.
Regenerating local economic growth
Reconnecting communities, enhancing accessibility and inclusion
Reducing road congestion and pollution, improving our environment
promoting quality of life and health
Bangor – Caernarfon – Pwllheli (Afon Wen LIne)
Carmarthen – Aberystwyth
Traws Link Cymru have worked incessantly for a decade to convince the public of the need for a reliable rail service which will connect the entire nation much more effectively and we remain steadfast in our belief that one of the only ways to solve these issues is to build a rail corridor in west Wales.
This endless filibustering has done nothing to solve the deep problems faced by West Wales in terms of poor infrastructure, poverty, depopulation, and desecration of communities. We cannot afford to wait a minute longer to ensure that people living in one of the poorest parts of western Europe have access to high quality public transport, with all the benefits that would bring in terms of access, mobility, connectivity, and economic regeneration.
We must now give these rail links our full support.
The current situation is untenable… a journey from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth has to be via Cardiff and Shrewsbury, taking 6 hours or more.
Gaerwen – Llangefni – Amlwch (Anglesey)
This will be a 17.5 mile railway re-railing that will primarily serve the needs of its Anglesey communities but we also recognise and echo its tourist potential.
Oswestry – Gobowen
and direct links with Welshpool
The section between Gobowen (on the Shrewsbury – Chester line) and Oswestry which would reconnect a town of 17,500 to the railway network have now been thrown into doubt after the funding programme behind the scheme was scrapped.
The section between Oswestry and Weston Wharf is already a heritage line. A level crossing on that route would need to be replaced by an overbridge. The southern end between Llynclis South and Welshpool is disused. Oswestry is also the site of the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital which is very important and is a social benefit for both Shrewsbury and the whole of Shropshire, and also the first UK’s outpatient centre for the Armed Forces veterans.
Rhyl – Corwen
(Vale of Clwyd Line)
Denbighshire council’s lead member for waste, transport and the environment, is keen to see the line re-instated.
So are we.
Barmouth – Dolgellau – Bala – Corwen
This is a reopening project which could go on to Bala Junction, Bala Town itself and ultimately Corwen.
The section between Corwen and Cynwyd is formerly a railway line but is being converted into a greenway by Denbighshire Country Council. BRTA says this should be a shared railway and pedestrian/cycling corridor.
Ruabon – Llangollen
BRTA calls for re-opening of the line to this popular tourist location. Two bridges need to be rebuilt fairly easily but there must be deviation from the old route since some houses have been built east of Llangollen on the trackbed.
Mold – Chester
Mold lost its railway station in the 1960s yet freight continued until the 1980s – much of the trackbed remains. The population is nearly 15,000 and the town suffers from severe road congestion.
In January 2019, the Campaign for Better Transport released a report identifying the line as a priority 2 for reopening. Priority 2 is for those lines which require further development or a change in circumstances, such as housing developments.
Mumbles – Swansea
It started in 1807 as the world’s first passenger railway using horse-drawn vehicles. It was closed 1960 in favour of bus alternatives. BRTA is calling for a restored rail link to this popular scenic area for sustainable journeys.
HOW TO ADD YOUR VOICE
Write in support of these reopenings to your local councillors and MP:
members.parliament.uk/members/commons
www.gov.wales/contacting-welsh-government-ministers
or www.writetothem.com
It’s powerful to write to your MP or councillor in your own words, telling your representative about your own beliefs and experiences and how they relate to rerailing. See below.
Join BRTA as a member to support this and other reopening campaigns
Volunteer with BRTA if you share our vision and want to help bring it about.
Donate to BRTA to help us advocate for rail links fit for the 21st century!
Think about the following questions when composing your letter to MPs / councillors:
- What journeys do you make? Work? Leisure? Appointments / visits?
What could improve the journeys you make? - Do you actively choose road over rail or bus? Why?
- Do you consider where you live to be well served by public transport?
- Do you have experience of new areas of housing and public transport?
- What are your experiences of the road journeys you make in the region?
- Have you made employment, school or relocation decisions based on journey times or access to public transport? Or on the lack of access to public transport?
- What are your thoughts on the environmental impact of your journeys?
- Do you have accessibility needs that affect journey decisions you make?
- What do you think about air pollution in your area?
- What are the most important connectivity-related issues to you? Why? Journey times? Road congestion reduction? Pollution reduction? Accessibility? Taking freight off the roads in your area? A better connected region?
- What should be done next to make relinking happen?
Our tips: - Even if your MP is not in the region, your letter provides them with an opportunity to learn about the issue and take action themselves.
- Aim for your letter to be no longer than one and a half sides of A4.
- Engage. Get your representative’s attention with a dramatic fact or short statement.
- State the problem. Present the causes of the problem you just introduced. How widespread or serious is the problem?
- Inform them about the solutions that rerailing would bring.
- Call to Action. Let them know what you want them to do about it.
- Ask for a response.