News

West wales train chaos: Passengers left in the dark

Published

1 year ago

October 18, 2023

WEST WALES has always been known for its picturesque landscapes and rich history. But for the regular train commuters and enthusiasts of this region, the current state of train services is nothing short of a nightmare.

Recent changes to the train schedules, primarily on the Carmarthen to Milford Haven line, have brought to light severe operational issues. Commuters have found themselves having to swap trains unexpectedly at Swansea and Cardiff. Just last week, a 197 train, the latest addition to the fleet, was not given clearance to travel up to Carmarthen, causing further inconvenience to travelers.

One commuter noted an instance where the train from Milford arrived in Cardiff just two minutes before the Manchester train’s departure. But according to the rules of the journey planner, a two-minute gap isn’t recognised as a valid connection, necessitating at least a seven-minute buffer. This resulted in an hour-long wait for the next Manchester train.

While the introduction of the 197s is understood to be in stages, as they get delivered, lines cleared, and crews trained, the lack of communication from Transport for Wales (TfW) to the public has been strikingly evident. There are growing concerns about why the line clearances are happening in stages and why there was no prior information about the decrease in service levels, leading to longer travel durations and lesser quality trains. There’s also the perplexing question of why the trains aren’t connecting efficiently, as per the journey planner’s standards.

The new trains, which have only been cleared up to Carmarthen, have been a letdown for many. “The new trains are a bit subpar,” commented a traveler who took a recent trip to Cardiff. The Milford and Fishguard services are now operating only as a shuttle until these trains receive the green light to operate in the farther west regions, which is anticipated to be in December.

Furthermore, the sudden withdrawal of the Class 175s without a proper replacement has also been a bone of contention. Questions have arisen about why these trains, which were rented, aren’t being replaced temporarily with long-distance 158s, which offer greater comfort and higher speed.

The situation has taken a toll on many, including those with invisible disabilities. A recent incident highlighted a lady from Milford facing significant anxiety challenges due to the ongoing disruptions. The on-ground staff, while doing their best to assist, appeared equally clueless about the abrupt changes.

Transport for Wales’s current approach, which seems to be “take it or leave it”, has not been received well by the local community. While the region hopes for a brighter future with improved train services, the current “temporary inconvenience” needs to be addressed with urgency and better communication.

When contacted by The Herald, a local and train enthusiast, suggested that reaching out to TfW might provide more insights. “At present, TfW seems to be annoying the locals with their silence. With a bit of intelligence, they could sell a very interesting promotional story of temporary inconvenience for a brighter future. So why don’t they?”

It remains to be seen how TfW will address these growing concerns, but one thing is clear – the passengers of West Wales deserve better.

Transport for Wales have been asked to comment

Crime

Dyfed-Powys Police pays out hundreds of thousands in compensation claims

Published

6 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

NEW figures reveal Dyfed-Powys Police has paid out £324,000 in compensation over the past five years, following nearly 200 claims made by members of the public.

A Freedom of Information requests show a whopping 186 claims were lodged against the force between 2019 and 2024, with compensation payments peaking in 2021/2022 at £138,111. Claims included allegations of unlawful arrest, financial losses, personal injury, and failure in duty of care.

In 2019/2020, 36 claims were made, with nine settled. The following year, 22 claims were lodged, with nine again resulting in payouts. Numbers rose to 38 claims in 2021/2022, with 11 settlements, before dropping slightly in 2022/2023 to 36 claims and eight payouts. However, the most recent figures for 2023/2024 show a significant rise, with 54 claims and seven settlements.

Lucy Parker, a solicitor from JF Law, said: “Claims against police forces highlight the importance of accountability. Issues such as wrongful arrest, assault, and negligence must be addressed seriously.”

Nationally, UK police forces have paid out millions in compensation, with property damage from botched raids cited as a frequent reason.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been approached for comment.

News

Rail passengers in west Wales ‘let down’ by hundreds of train cancellations

Published

6 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

RAIL passengers in west Wales are being “let down” following the cancellation of more than 650 Transport for Wales (TfW) trains on routes to Swansea and beyond in just 12 months.

Between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, a total of 654 services were cancelled, impacting key routes to Llanelli, Carmarthen, Pembroke Dock, Fishguard, and Milford Haven. The cancellations have sparked frustration among passengers and raised concerns over the reliability of rail services in the region.

Transport for Wales, which took over day-to-day rail operations from Arriva nearly seven years ago, has faced ongoing criticism for service quality. A Rail User Survey in 2023 revealed that only 72% of passengers were satisfied with TfW services, making it the worst-rated operator in the UK at the time. By comparison, Southern Railway scored 80%.

Recent surveys show some improvements. Between February and September 2024, overall satisfaction rose to 85%, with punctuality increasing to 73% and frequency to 66%. However, these numbers remain below national averages, and the situation in west Wales continues to lag behind other regions.

Passengers in west Wales have long expressed frustration over frequent delays and cancellations. One traveller recounted a 60-mile journey from Cardiff Central to Carmarthen that resulted in an overnight stay in Cardiff due to multiple delays and cancellations. Replacement buses offered little reprieve, with onward journeys stretching well into the early hours.

Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Transport, criticised the situation, saying: “These statistics show that Welsh passengers are being let down. Historical underinvestment in our rail network and infrastructure has led us to this position. In order to create a Welsh rail network that works for the people of Wales, it’s vital that decisions regarding Welsh rail are made in Wales.”

Mr Griffiths added: “Only Plaid Cymru fights for the devolution of rail infrastructure to ensure we can secure consistent investment in our network and deliver reliable services.”

Despite some recent improvements in customer satisfaction, the sheer scale of cancellations highlights ongoing issues with rail services in Wales, particularly in west Wales where consistent, reliable transport remains a challenge for many commuters and travellers.

Charity

Tributes paid to former Tenby RNLI crew member Stuart Fecci

Published

7 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TENBY RNLI is mourning the loss of former Shore Crew member Stuart Fecci, who passed away recently. Stuart served aboard the Henry Comber Brown lifeboat until a tragic accident in 1988 resulted in the loss of his hand.

Despite the injury, Stuart remained a dedicated supporter of Tenby RNLI. The Fecci family has deep roots with the station, including Stuart’s son Samuel, who raised over £300 by completing the RNLI’s Mayday Mile walk in 2021.

Deputy Coxswain Jon Lewis, Stuart’s cousin who carries the Fecci name through his mother, paid tribute: “The last time I spoke to him, he greeted me in a packed Tudor Square as the larger-than-life character he was and shouted, ‘Coxswain Lewis!’ before continuing to congratulate me.”

Stuart will be deeply missed by the entire community. The thoughts of everyone at the station are with his wife Sally and his family during this difficult time.