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

Sir Karl Jenkins named Eisteddfod President for 2026

Published

14 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIR KARL JENKINS has been named President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026.

The internationally acclaimed Welsh composer, one of the world’s most performed living composers, will take on the role as the festival prepares to welcome performers, competitors and visitors from across the globe.

Sir Karl is best known for works including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Adiemus and Requiem.

His appointment comes in a landmark year after The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

Opening night return

Sir Karl’s presidential year will begin with the opening night concert, Uniting Nations: One World, on Tuesday, July 7.

The concert had been due to take place in 2025 but was postponed, causing disappointment for volunteers, performers and audience members who had travelled from across the UK and overseas.

The Eisteddfod has now brought the event back with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

Sir Karl said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Llangollen Festival this year and especially honoured to do so in the role of President.

“Llangollen is always a very special place to be, with its unique sense of community and international spirit.

“I’m greatly looking forward to conducting my most recent choral work, One World, particularly following the postponement of last year’s performance.

“It’s a piece that I feel reflects the very essence of the festival, bringing together outstanding musicians from across the globe to form one powerful collective voice.”

Global chorus

The evening will feature a full performance of One World, conducted by Sir Karl and performed by an international massed chorus made up of WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra.

The work blends Jenkins’ distinctive musical style with themes of humanity, compassion and environmental stewardship.

The concert will also include a complete staging of Peace Child: The Musical, which places young people at the heart of its message of peace and global citizenship.

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.

The piece was written for the 2026 Eisteddfod through the Harmony Without Borders initiative, continuing Llangollen’s tradition of supporting new talent and giving Welsh composers an international platform.

‘Great cultural ambassador’

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Karl Jenkins has agreed to serve as President of the Eisteddfod for 2026.

“Few musicians have done more to promote the values of peace, friendship and international understanding that lie at the heart of our festival.

“Sir Karl is one of Wales’s greatest cultural ambassadors and his music has inspired audiences across every continent.

“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to the universal appeal of the messages of peace, hope and humanity that run through so much of his music.”

Mr Gambles added: “The postponement of One World last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved.

“We knew how much the concert meant to audiences, performers and volunteers alike, and we were determined to find a way to bring it back.

“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Wales, we can now finally give this extraordinary concert the audience it deserves.

“With Sir Karl as our President, the return of One World, the world premiere of a major new Welsh composition and the powerful message of Peace Child, this promises to be one of the most memorable and significant opening nights in the Eisteddfod’s history.”

Festival programme

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns for its 79th year on Tuesday, July 7.

This year’s programme includes performances from Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, and the Choir of the World competition.

Thousands of competitors from around the world will also take part in the daytime programme, with the Parade of Nations returning on Friday, July 10.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £33.

Further information is available at llangollen.net.

Health

Woman jailed assaults on police, harassment and XL Bully possession

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CARMARTHEN woman has been jailed after admitting a lengthy catalogue of offences including assaults on police officers, harassment, breaching a Community Protection Notice, shop theft, possession of an XL Bully dog and assaulting a paramedic.

Tilly Rees, 25, of Llys Caermedi, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18).

The court heard that Rees admitted multiple breaches of a Community Protection Notice issued in 2025, including incidents in which she shouted abuse in public, caused distress to residents and repeatedly targeted individuals named in court proceedings.

Harassment campaign

Among the offences was a harassment charge relating to a course of conduct against a Carmarthen man between March and May this year.

Prosecutors said Rees approached him on multiple occasions, shouted abuse, called him a paedophile and video-recorded him and his home.

She also admitted a series of Community Protection Notice breaches linked to the same behaviour.

Police assaults

The court heard that Rees assaulted a number of police officers during incidents in Llanelli on May 1 and May 5.

Several assault charges against serving police constables were taken into account by the court when sentence was passed.

A further charge of assaulting a paramedic at Dafen Police Station on June 12 was also admitted.

Shop theft and XL Bully

Rees also admitted stealing items including sanitary products, deodorant, skincare products and reading glasses from a Carmarthen pharmacy.

In a separate matter, she admitted possessing an XL Bully dog contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act. The court ordered the dog to be forfeited and destroyed after Rees relinquished her rights to it.

Restraining orders imposed

District Judge M Layton imposed a number of restraining orders preventing Rees from contacting named individuals or referring to them online.

The orders prohibit direct or indirect contact and restrict social media activity relating to those protected by the orders.

Jailed for 26 weeks

Magistrates concluded that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

Rees was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks’ imprisonment.

The court heard that some of the offences were committed while she was already subject to a suspended sentence, while others involved assaults on emergency workers carrying additional aggravating factors.