Business

Rural operators ‘petrified’ by bus reforms

Published

7 months ago

May 18, 2025

RURAL bus operators are petrified by the Welsh Government’s plans to introduce a London-style bus network in Wales, the industry warned.

Scott Pearson, chair of the Coach and Bus Association Cymru, gave evidence on the bus bill which seeks to bring buses into public control, with operators bidding for contracts.

Mr Pearson, who has been running bus services for 25 years, cautioned against a regional approach or modelling reforms on other franchise systems such as Greater Manchester’s.

“That’s a massive population in a big urban area,” he told the Senedd’s infrastructure committee. “Wales is not like that: you’ve got three big cities in the bottom, one at the top and, in between, a whole load of hills and mountains.

“The rural aspect to this, our members – the SME [small- and medium-sized enterprise] membership – are petrified about this bill.”

Expressing concerns about smaller operators being squeezed out, Mr Pearson told the meeting on May 15: “‘Petrified’ is the right word to use because we don’t have detail.”

Aaron Hill, director of the Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru, agreed: “Scott is right, buses are inherently a very local service and respond to very local needs. We would be missing a trick if local authorities didn’t have a bigger role in how we shape the network.”

Mr Hill warned of significant barriers for SMEs, with six-figure costs in some parts of the UK to bid for franchises and regulatory hurdles to clear to even take part in the procurement.

“We need, if we’re going to do it successfully in Wales, to overcome that,” he said.

Mr Pearson stressed: “If you hand a guy who’s got ten buses a 150-page document for the franchise and say ‘do you want this?’… they’re not going to do it, they’re going to sell up.”

Mr Hill cautioned a change in the regulatory model will not guarantee success, warning the bill does little to take buses out of traffic, coordinate roadworks nor speed up journey times.

He said: “The bill doesn’t actually change the economics of running bus services in Wales – so many of the challenges that the network faces today, the network will still face on the other side of re-regulation.”

Raising examples of other franchised networks, Mr Hill said London has historically had a gap of around £700m between the cost of the service and the income generated.

He said the gap in Greater Manchester, which took control of buses in 2023, is about £250m and the Welsh bill exposes the network to similar affordability challenges.

Mr Hill told Senedd Members: “We think the bill only lends itself to one type of franchise, a gross-cost franchise – that is the franchise that carries the most risk for taxpayers.”

Mr Pearson warned the public purse will shoulder all the risk under the bill as drafted.

Mr Hill warned a regulatory impact assessment (RIA) published alongside the bill was insufficient, with “at least” £200m of additional costs not factored in.

“That feels to me to be a significant question that hangs over the viability of franchising,” he said, pointing to examples including national insurance tax hikes and staff costs.

In written evidence, the Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru warned: “We are concerned that the assessment of the financial implications are overly optimistic and based on weak assumptions and unrealistic forecasts.”

Mr Pearson similarly criticised a lack of detail in the bill and impact assessment, making it difficult to understand the costs and challenges.

He said: “If we’re trying to do the same with the current funding, and adding a whole load of costs into it from TfW [Transport for Wales], for instance, it’s just simply not going to work because you can’t get more for less.”

Mr Pearson added: “It talks about patronage increase in the RIA – that’s a big, big faux pas because nothing in this bill… looks at the main cause… which is congestion.

“It’s not dealt with at all. I think we’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here and we’re not… addressing the main problems that we currently face as operators.”

Mr Hill added: “There’s a real risk here: we’ve built up public expectation, in the same way… as with the railways, then delivery or significant improvement doesn’t follow for a long time.”

Asked about the scope of the bill, with councils rather than ministers remaining responsible for school transport, Mr Pearson questioned the logic of separating the two.

He raised the example of a rural operator, which provides bus services and school transport, missing out on a franchise, asking: “What happens to the home to school, the local authority picks it up? That’s a whole… different ball game… I don’t think that is going to work well.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

8 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

12 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

19 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.