Sir, 'Pembs. deserves a better train service, says AM' (Observer, February 1, 2008). I fully agree, but what will our AM's do about it? Significant improvements have been made to train services in the south-east of Wales, including the opening of two new lines serving Cardiff Airport and Ebbw Vale, along with new stations between Swansea and Cardiff. All these improvements are to be welcomed, but Wales does not end at Swansea! In Pembrokeshire we have seen some improvements, especially on the Milford Haven line. However, the Pembroke and Tenby line has been sadly neglected by Arriva Trains Wales. Perhaps our AM's could use their influence to seek urgently needed improvements for south Pembrokeshire. As a regular passenger on the local trains, I would like to suggest the following improvements.

1. Improved rolling stock. The service is currently operated by one car units (class 153) which are totally unsuitable for journeys of up to two hours in length. These coaches have very limited leg space, which makes any journey of over one hour very uncomfortable, especially if you are over six feet tall. In addition, on some services, serious overcrowding occurs between Swansea and Llanelli, with passengers standing along the full length of the train. If funding for better quality rolling stock is not available, why not consider altering the existing timetable to provide a regular shuttle service between Pembroke Dock and Whitland connecting into the high quality and very comfortable Milford Haven to Manchester trains. This would give passengers a more comfortable and faster service than provided at present and save Arriva Trains Wales money, as only one train would be needed to operate the shuttle between Whitland and Pembroke Dock, instead of the three trains currently employed on the line. One of the trains could then be used to provide the stopping service between Carmarthen and Swansea and the other one returned to the train leasing company that owns it.

2. Earlier and later train services. The first train from Pembroke Dock to Swansea departs at 0705. The connecting train from Swansea arrives at London Paddington at 1232 hours. The Milford Haven line has an earlier departure at 0605 (Paddington at 1102). Why is a much better service provided from Milford Haven? To encourage more business use, an earlier train is needed from Pembroke Dock. If a service was provided at 0605, this would enable passengers to arrive in London at 1132 hours. Similarly, a later service is needed last thing at night. Currently, to reach Tenby and Pembroke Dock by the last train you need to leave Paddington at 1645 hours. By providing an additional train from Whitland at 2335 you would not need to depart Paddington until 1915 hours. This additional late service could be provided at very small cost by simply utilising the train that currently operates the 2224 hours departure from Pembroke Dock. Instead of operating to Carmarthen, the train could terminate at Whitland and then provide a later service (2335) to Tenby and Pembroke Dock. Spare paths exist to enable both an earlier and later service to be provided.

3. Re-opening stations. Finally, consideration should be given to improving access to local rail services by re-opening stations at Templeton and St. Clears. Will our AM's deliver any significant improvements or is it all just talk? At least we the voters have the option to vote them out at the next election if they fail to deliver an improved rail service for Pembrokeshire.

Neil Westerman,

36 Park Avenue, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire.