Prior to the start of Tuesday night's monthly meeting of Narberth Town Council, members were addressed by Mark Youngman from the South West Wales Community Rail Partnership. He explained his role in promoting the use of the rail network west of Swansea, and how the partnership was between Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, the City and County of Swansea and Arriva Trains Wales. He produced examples of literature which were distributed to various outlets throughout the area and emphasised the discounts available to rail travellers who buy the Pembrokeshire rail card, which was available only to people resident in the county. He said that for an annual fee of £5, Pembrokeshire residents can get one third off train prices on journeys from all stations in Pembrokeshire en route to Swansea and the intervening stations. No rail card was available for Carmarthenshire residents, but bus pass holders in Carmarthenshire could have half price rail fares. Pembrokeshire bus pass holders could obtain a senior rail card at half price. The Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire County Councils adopt different policies so that the system for discounted fares within each area is not the same. He said that Tenby Station had five times more passengers than any other station west of Swansea. Locally, discussions had been taking place with a view to making the Bloomfield Community Transport system available to passengers using the Narberth Station, possibly with a trial run on Tuesdays and Thursdays for two specified trains per day. Councillors made various suggestions about the distribution outlets for publicity leaflets, including local tax companies, while Clr. Colin Williams suggested that a public telephone should be installed at Narberth station. Clr. Henry Langen was concerned about facilities available for wheelchair users. Mr. Youngman said that all trains operating in the area had ramps and that the staff were trained in the use of ramps. Rail companies preferred wheelchair users to book in advance so that they could be met at the station of departure and the station of arrival by rail staff. Other matters discussed at the meeting were: Chamber of Trade cheque for Christmas lights: The Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers, reported that she had been presented with a cheque for £1,900 by Mr. John Williams, treasurer of the Narberth Chamber of Trade. The money was a donation towards the cost of the 2007 Christmas lights which would be displayed in the town. Disabled parking bays at Town Moor Car Park: The clerk, Mrs. Caroline Coaker, reported that Pembrokeshire County Council had embarked on a consultation process with a view to relocating the disabled parking bays in the Town Moor Car Park. Under the proposal, the parking bays would be removed from the area near the public toilets and five disabled parking bays would be created nearer the junction with Moorfield Road. Community Police Support Officer: Clr. Colin Williams paid tribute to the work being carried out by the newly-appointed Police Community Support Officer David Henry. 100th birthday card: Members agreed to send a 100th birthday card to Mrs. Winnie Searle-Jones, a resident at Pencoed, Wooden. Narberth Person of the Year: The Deputy Mayor, Clr. Ms. Suzanne Radford-Smith, was to arrange for the nomination box to be placed at Narberth Post Office. Race for Life: The Mayor said that she would be running the Race for Life at Scolton Manor tomorrow (Saturday) with the Mayoress, Clr. Mrs. Denise Rigby, and would welcome sponsorship. Narberth Newsletter: The council agreed with a suggestion made by the Deputy Mayor that she would prepare a quarterly Narberth Newsletter in conjunction with the Mayor. Robeston Wathen bypass: Clr. Mrs. Val Bradley reported that she had attended a meeting at Plas Hyfryd Country Hotel about the procedure to be adopted at the Public Inquiry concerning the proposed Robeston Wathen bypass. She said that if Pembrokeshire County Council continued to advocate the view that the bypass should be a dual carriageway, it would be regarded as an objection by the inspector and could delay the bypass proposal. The inquiry would commence on Tuesday, July 10, at Plas Hyfryd, Narberth. Clr. Mrs. Bradley also said that some people had expressed concern at the type of lights to be used at the proposed roundabout at Robeston Wathen and at Canaston, as the usual type of lighting used on new roads could cause light pollution in a sensitive rural area.
