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.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

4 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

30 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

53 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.