Sir,

I have to thank Ann Lukes for all the rail travel advice in her letter of June 14, but my experiences of train journeys in South Pembrokeshire are different. Perhaps Ann is happy with the proposed 2005 timetable by Arriva for this area with its extra waiting time for connections; I am not. My letter to your paper was to voice concern for fellow passengers and visitors trying to access the area.

Ann, you have misunderstood the reason for my original letter. Even though there were Football Specials that day, why should travellers beyond Cardiff find it as difficult as possible to travel on the one long distance train? It was nearly empty for the remainder of its journey to Pembroke.

Of course I 'realised travel to, from or through Cardiff on a match day is bound to be chaotic'. I wish I could pass on your advice that 'we should have known better' to the fellow passengers who also wished to catch the dedicated service into Pembrokeshire. No official said they had abandoned the timetable for match days. Why should passengers have to miss the only through train? It only runs once a week.

On booking we passed on all the information for this journey and the need to travel at a certain time: I had an open ticket on the 'Seaside Special' through train to Tenby. I also had a complimentary first class upgrade from First Great Western, as a registered regular traveller. On the day none of this counted.

One mother with two children decided in London to abandon her special seaside weekend when she was turned away. Then arriving late at Swansea about 40 people wondered if they could reach Tenby before tea. It wasn't just me. I want the continued problem of in-built delays and a deteriorating service discussed not dismissed.

Her advice to journey to Carmarthen 'for any rail bookings through a proper rail booking office' I consider to be ridiculous. I support the local economy when making booking arrangements. Why should anyone have to travel outside Pembrokeshire to secure a ticket?

Activity Wales, in Tudor Square, Tenby, book my tickets, often at short notice, taking full advantage of any apex fares up to 5 pm the day before travel. They are certified by National Rail and have always been quick, efficient and friendly to me. Local expertise has saved me many unnecessary waits for connections.

For example, if you catch the 9.41am train on a Saturday from Tenby, both National Rail Network enquiries and Rail Planner say you have to change at Whitland at 10.08 and wait an hour for a connection. In fact, you can stay on that train all the way to Cardiff.

Also, for my last journey there was no fee as I took the ticket at the time of purchase, but I am more than happy to pay a small booking fee rather than make an extra journey to Carmarthen just to buy a train ticket. Please help to keep rail travel bookings available in Tenby.

Her advice on how to find a timetable locally is helpful, but well after the event. Perhaps you knew that Arriva were late in distributing their summer timetable and it had not reached Tenby when I booked. This happened after the summer service was operational. Even Activity Wales were unable to obtain any copies.

I am anxious for improvements, but I sense that North Pembrokeshire rail network will receive the investment and South Pembrokeshire services will be left to wither. The service is too infrequent and unreliable up to Swansea and for connections beyond. The fact remains it is difficult to access Pembrokeshire unless you have a car.

Richard Walker,

1 Lexden Terrace,

Tenby.