News

Over a thousand west Wales trains cancelled in a year

Published

2 years ago

December 31, 2023

MORE than a thousand trains, intended to transport passengers to Swansea and West Wales, have been cancelled within a single year. The distressing data highlights the ongoing struggles faced by Transport for Wales (TfW) since taking over the management of rail services from Arriva in 2018.

Passenger discontent has been a constant theme, with complaints about delays and cancellations echoing across the network. Despite assurances from TfW, the situation seems to be far from improving. Notably, a recent Rail User Survey disclosed that TfW had the lowest customer satisfaction among UK train operators, with a mere 72% of passengers satisfied with the service between March and August this year.

The chief operating officer of TfW, Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde, attributed the challenges to a comprehensive railway transformation program, acknowledging the inconvenience caused to passengers during the ongoing modernisation efforts. He commented, “As we modernise and enhance infrastructure and rolling stock, it’s undoubtedly been a painful period for our passengers with many rail replacement bus services in operation.”

*Class 197 locomotives have been rolled out across the network*

One of TfW’s pledges from 2018, promising “95% of rail journeys in Wales and its borders will be on new trains from 2023,” has not materialised. The impact of the pandemic is cited as a significant factor delaying the introduction of new trains. Mr. Chaudhry-Van der Velde reassured the public that new trains are finally arriving and will continue to replace older ones throughout 2024.

However, recent revelations in October have indicated that less than a third of TfW services are currently being operated with new trains. This has prompted criticism from Plaid Cymru’s transport spokeswoman, Delyth Jewell MS, who expressed disappointment in the state of rail travel in Wales. She remarked, “Too much of the rail network in Wales can still be summarised by its old trains, late trains, and huge levels of customer dissatisfaction.”

Particular concern is directed towards services to West Wales, where passengers consistently report issues. A firsthand account of a 60-mile journey from Cardiff to Carmarthen revealed multiple delays and disruptions. Similar experiences are shared by other passengers, with one stating, “Getting there is always a bit pot luck but coming home is a nightmare – every time.”

A Freedom of Information request to TfW regarding the money spent on replacement buses and taxis over a 12-month period was met with refusal, citing excessive compliance costs. However, a separate request unveiled that a staggering 1,054 services to Swansea and further west were cancelled between August 1, 2022, and August 1, 2023.

Delyth Jewell MS expressed concern over the high number of cancellations, noting that, on average, almost three trains were cancelled daily on this route alone. She emphasised the impact on passengers, stating, “People will have been stranded or been left needing to take alternative transport – and that’s particularly worrying at this time of year when it gets dark so much earlier.”

As Wales grapples with the challenges of its rail network, the public’s patience wears thin, raising questions about the efficacy of the ongoing transformation program and the ability of TfW to deliver on its promises.

Community

Festive creativity shines as Kurtz MS meets card competition winner

Published

28 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL KURTZ, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, visited Pembroke Dock Community School on Friday 12th December to present a prize to the winner of this year’s Christmas Card Competition.

The competition invited pupils to design a festive Christmas card, with entries received from schools across the area. The standard of artwork was exceptionally high, showcasing the creativity, imagination and talent of young people in the community.

During the visit, Samuel Kurtz congratulated the winning pupil and thanked all those who took part, as well as the teachers and staff who supported the competition. Each child who entered also received a certificate in recognition of their hard work and effort.

Speaking after the presentation, Samuel said, “It was a real pleasure to visit Pembroke Dock Community School today and announce the winner of my Christmas Card competition. This year the winner is Mair Moseley, aged 10, and she designed a wonderful Santa image that really stood out. She has won a chocolate selection set and a £20 book token to enjoy over Christmas.”

He added, “ The creativity and enthusiasm shown by all the children was fantastic, and it made choosing a winner extremely difficult. I want to congratulate all the entrants and thank the staff for their ongoing support.”

Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher, Mrs Katie Crockford-Morris, added, “We were delighted to welcome Samuel Kurtz MS to the school to present the prize. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the competition, and they were incredibly proud to receive their certificates.”

The winning design will now be used as Samuel Kurtz’s official Christmas card this year, with one copy already on its way to His Majesty, King Charles.

Charity

Two Welsh families fund Childline across the UK on Christmas Day

Published

43 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Staff Writer

Joint £40,000 gift ensures vital support is available when children need it most

TWO Cardiff families have joined forces to fund the NSPCC’s Childline service across the whole of the UK on Christmas Day, ensuring children have somewhere to turn during one of the toughest times of the year.

The Peterson family and the Bowles family are each donating £20,000 as part of the charity’s One Unforgettable Day project. Their combined £40,000 contribution will cover the entire cost of running Childline for 24 hours on 25 December.

Childline operates 12 bases nationwide and offers a free, confidential service to anyone under 19, available day and night, 365 days a year. The festive period is often one of the most demanding for counsellors and volunteers; between 24 December 2024 and 4 January 2025, Childline delivered 4,261 counselling sessions.

Young people reach out to Childline for a range of reasons at Christmas, including mental health struggles, family tensions, financial worries, loneliness, and increased risks of abuse or domestic violence. With schools closed and regular support networks unavailable, demand for help typically rises.

Childline relies heavily on donations, fundraising and charitable partnerships. The support of Alan, Maggie and Hywel Peterson, and Nathan and Claire Bowles and their four children, will ensure counsellors are available throughout Christmas Day for any young person who needs them.

Hywel Peterson MBE, Chair of the NSPCC Cymru Fundraising Board, said:
“It’s an honour to help fund Childline across the whole of the UK this Christmas. This joint donation will ensure our dedicated staff and volunteers are there to support any child who needs us.”

Cardiff entrepreneur Nathan Bowles added:
“We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for some children, so our family is delighted to be joining forces with the Petersons this year to support this vital service.”

Louise Israel, Childline team manager at NSPCC Cymru’s Cardiff base, said:
“While children and young people need Childline all year round, we speak to many who find this time of year particularly difficult. It is only with the support of such generous people as the Peterson and Bowles families that our staff and volunteers can continue to be here throughout the Christmas holidays. This kindness will genuinely make a difference.”

Children can call Childline free on 0800 11 11 or visit www.childline.org.uk.
Anyone concerned about a child’s welfare can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit www.nspcc.org.uk for advice.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

13 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include: