Following a meeting between Tenby’s Civic Society, Samuel Kurtz MS and Natasha Asghar MS, Shadow Minister for Transport last week, a call has been made to Transport for Wales to listen to the concerns of local residents and increase Tenby train-line services during peak seasons.

Neil Westerman a trustee of Tenby Civic Society who attended the meeting, told the Observer that they were able to raise concerns over transport issues affecting the area and South Pembrokeshire in general, in a bid to improve public transport services

“The Whitland to Tenby and Pembroke Dock railway line is the busiest line in the area, with Tenby the busiest station in Pembrokeshire, according to office of Rail and Road figures, and our members would like to see the following issues discussed with the Welsh Government,” explained Mr. Westerman.

“Transport for Wales is currently operating a substantially reduced train service on the Whitland to Pembroke Dock line with the last four services from Tenby having been withdrawn.

“In addition services are currently terminating at Carmarthen resulting in unacceptable delays to passenger journeys. The desired outcome would be a full reinstatement of the pre-covid 19 timetable with services operating to Swansea,” stated Mr. Westerman on behalf of the Civic Society.

“The First Great Western Railways through services from London Paddington to Tenby and Pembroke Dock on summer Saturdays have been withdrawn, so we would like to see the restoration of the direct London Paddington to Tenby and Pembroke Dock services back.

“Logically the busiest railway line in Pembrokeshire (Whitland to Pembroke Dock) should receive the best service. So improvements to service frequency are long overdue.

“As traffic on the Whitland to Pembroke Dock line is heavily weighted to the summer months a radical solution is required with an hourly service frequency needed between April and September and a two hourly service frequency between October and March,” he continued.

Other transport issues raised by the Civic Society included the fact that there are currently no rail connections for the daily Irish Ferries service from Pembroke Dock to Rosslare sailings; with the calls for a connecting train service for foot passengers travelling to and from Ireland via Pembroke Dock to be provided.

Also, following the withdrawal of the Pembroke Dock, Tenby, Kilgetty to Carmarthen bus service travel to Carmarthen, public transport is now only available by train, so the Civic Society have called for those with All Wales Concessionary Travel Cards to be allowed to use them on train services to Carmarthen from all stations between Pembroke Dock and Kilgetty.

Continuing on the issue of bus travel, Mr. Westerman said that the area has suffered several cuts to services in recent years including the bus route to Carmarthen, as well as the withdrawal of all Sunday services and all late evening services.

“We would like to see some of the cuts made to bus services restored, to provide a better and more sustainable public transport network,” he continued.

“Perhaps extend the Traws Cymru network into south Pembrokeshire. For example extend the Swansea to Carmarthen TIS Service to Tenby serving St. Clears and Kilgetty,” added Mr. Westerman, stating that the meeting proved a ‘positive’ one.

Commenting following the meeting, Local Member of the Senedd, Samuel Kurtz, said: “Every year, Tenby welcomes thousands upon thousands of visitors to our beautiful corner of Wales, therefore it is discouraging to hear of the ill-advised cuts that Transport for Wales has made to the Tenby-Pembroke Dock trainline.

“After speaking to the Civic Society team, it’s clear that Tenby’s two-hourly train service simply isn’t feasible during the peak seasons.”

“Tenby needs a flexible train service that not only supports the fluctuating number of visitors but also ensures local residents have access to sufficient and regular transport links.”

“I will be working with my colleagues in the Welsh Parliament, including the Shadow Minister for Transport, Natasha Asghar MS, to put pressure on Transport for Wales to change tack and oversee an expansion in train services. The status quo cannot continue,” he added.

Also commenting on the meeting, Natasha Asghar MS, Shadow Minister for Transport, said: “After eighteen long arduous months of restrictions, I was delighted to see the area thriving with tourists, enjoying a sunny summers day. But it is paramount that towns such as Tenby are accessible for visitors who wish to make use of the public transport network.

“During my trip, Neil Westerman and the members of Tenby Civic Society highlighted a number of issues regarding rail and bus services which I promised to raise in the Senedd.

“I was left aghast when I found out about the struggles local residents experienced whilst simply commuting to work on the train, which is just unacceptable and quite frankly shocking in this day and age when there is such a focus on public transport by the Welsh Government.”