Business
GWR’s rail timetable overhaul: 65 additional trains per week for South Wales
GWR said this week it is set to revolutionise rail travel in south Wales with the introduction of an impressive 65 new trains per week. This major timetable reshuffle, which marks the most significant change since the implementation of Intercity Express Trains, aims to provide passengers with the right services at their desired travel times. The revamped schedule will deliver a nearly 5% increase in daily train services across the GWR network.
As part of this initiative, GWR will introduce sixty-five additional direct services between Carmarthen and London Paddington, extending previous routes beyond Swansea. Passengers can expect enhanced connectivity as the new direct services to Carmarthen will include stops at Llanelli, Pembrey, and Burry Port. Notably, this upgrade will result in two-hourly services and additional weekday departures.
For those traveling from Carmarthen to London, the new departures will be at 09:27, 11:27, 14:24, 16:19, 18:18, and 20:30 (to Bristol Parkway). Conversely, passengers traveling from London to Carmarthen can avail themselves of the following departures: 06:48, 09:48, 11:48, 13:48, and 15:48. Additionally, there will be extra Saturday departures, including 09:32, 13:25, 15:28, 17:20, and 19:19 (to Swansea) for journeys from Carmarthen to London, and 06:48, 08:48, 10:48, 12:48, and 14:48 for journeys from London to Carmarthen.
In a welcome move, GWR will also reintroduce the popular summer services to Pembroke Dock, which had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commencing from May to September, passengers can enjoy four services per day.
Lee Waters, Deputy Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for Transport, expressed enthusiasm for the enhanced rail services, stating, “We are committed to improving rail services in West Wales, and the news that GWR is extending their existing Swansea services through to Llanelli, Pembrey & Burry Port, and Carmarthen, along with the increase of 65 direct services to and from Bristol and London every week, is very welcome. The introduction of more rail services is an important part of our plan to boost sustainable transport, making the right choice, the easy one: leaving the car at home and instead, catching a train.”
The timetable overhaul will not only benefit south Wales but also bring positive changes to the wider Bristol area, with an additional 44 daily train services. These changes align with long-planned aspirations for the network and involve approximately 20% of all trains being rescheduled to better suit passenger needs, offering better value for taxpayers and promoting greener travel options on public transport.
Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of GWR, expressed excitement about the extensive improvements, stating, “I am really excited to say that this new timetable provides the biggest shake-up in service levels since the introduction of Intercity Express trains – providing more trains where they are needed most and reflecting changes in travel patterns. We will deliver more train services, serving even more stations, and providing greater value for money for taxpayers.”
Other noteworthy enhancements include changes to London and Thames Valley services, facilitating better connectivity with Elizabeth Line destinations. The MetroWest scheme will also see further developments, doubling GWR services between Gloucester and Bristol, and adding an additional train per hour between Westbury and Bristol. The number of GWR services
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Business
52 homes to be built in Roch as scheme gets final sign-off
THE FINAL stage of approval for a near-£10m Pembrokeshire residential development of 52 homes has been given the go-ahead.
Back in April, members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee backed an application by Wakefield Pembrokeshire Ltd for the development, which includes four one-bed affordable housing units, on land near Pilgrims Way, Roch.
18 objections to the scheme were received, raising concerns including an “inadequate” affordable housing level, it being a high density development for a rural area, a loss of green space, the size of some of the homes, and pressures on existing services and facilities, and fears it may lead to an increase in second homes.
Nolton & Roch Community Land Trust (N&RCLT) has raised its concerns about a lack of affordable homes at the development, calling for a 20 per cent affordable homes element, as recommended by policy.
An officer report for members, recommending conditional approval, said: “It is apparent that the proposed development is not fully policy compliant, insofar as it cannot deliver the indicative 20 per cent affordable housing sought [by policy].
“However, a substantial positive social impact will arise through the provision of housing, including four one-bed affordable housing units, in meeting identified needs for both market and affordable housing.
“Financial obligations identified to mitigate adverse impacts arising from the proposed development cannot be met in full. However, [policy] acknowledges that in such circumstances contributions may be prioritised on the basis of the individual circumstances of each case.”
Speaking at the meeting, agent Gethin Beynon said the project had a “significant economic value” of around £10m, and the local applicant had “a sense of stewardship to the local community,” offering affordable housing and community infrastructure towards highways and education.
Approval was delegated to the council’s head of planning to approve the application, subject to the completion of a Section 106 planning obligation, making community financial contributions.
The Section 106 agreement was recently agreed, with the application now formally approved.
Business
World of engineering and welding SPARCs interest in Ysgol Harri Tudur’s female learners
AN EVENT hosted by Ledwood Engineering gave girls from Year 8 and 9 at Ysgol Harri Tudur first-hand experience of the world of engineering recently.
Engineering is a booming sector in Pembrokeshire with a high demand for skilled workers in exciting career pathways associated with the development of low carbon and renewable energy industry and the Celtic Freeport.
The young women heard from industry experts on the importance of engineering in Pembrokeshire, and had hands on experience using a welding simulator, at the company’s Pembroke Dock site.
The learners are part of the County’s SPARC (Sustainable Power and Renewable Construction) initiative aimed as inspiring and empowering young females to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pathways where females are under-represented in the workforce.
SPARC is funded through an alliance comprising Blue Gem Wind, Ledwood Engineering, Port of Milford Haven, RWE Renewables, Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire College and the Swansea Bay City Deal.
Mrs Laura Buckingham, SPARC practitioner at Ysgol Harri Tudur said: “Our learners had a fantastic experience at Ledwood Engineering. They were given lots of advice by industry experts on the different career options and pathways within the engineering sector.
“They appreciated the opportunity to ask their questions and found the session very informative. Having the chance to trial their welding skills on the simulator was an experience they continue to talk about and has definitely piqued their interest.”
Poppy Sawyer, Year 8 SPARC learner added: ‘It was a really good trip. Talking to the different people there has helped me know more about the jobs we could get which will be very useful when making choices for my future.”
“They helped us a lot by giving us lots of information. We were able to look around and try welding. It was really fun,” added Tianna Marshall, Year 8 SPARC learner.
The Regional Learning and Skills Partnership also launched its Explore Engineering interactive website at the event.
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