The South Pembrokeshire Rail Action Group (SPRAG) held their official launch and welcome party at Tenby Station on Monday, the first day of the newly restored timetable, with through trains now running from Pembroke Dock to Swansea.

Kate Telford and Neil Westerman welcomed members and visitors to the station with complimentary cider provided by the Pembrokeshire Cider Company together with mini Welsh Cakes.

Organisers David Samuel and Irena Kruszona travelled from Pembroke to Tenby on the 1109 train to join the celebrations.

Tenby Town Council was represented by Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Deputy Mayor, Clr. Mrs. Sue Lane, Clr. Laurence Blackhall and Clr. Duncan Whitehurst.

Also in attendance were John Perrett, Tenby station adopter, along with Alex Bryant-Evans and James Nicholls from Transport for Wales.

A short speech was made by County Councillor Josh Beynon welcoming people to the launch and endorsing the need for a better more reliable train service.

Clr. Beynon emphasized the point that to make this happen ‘we need your support’.

Sam Kurtz, Senedd member for South Pembrokeshire, added that during the past twelve months rail services have been a major factor in his inbox.

Mr. Kurtz stated that he was really excited about the formation of the South Pembrokeshire Rail Action group and what the group can achieve. He pledged his full support to the group.

“An excellent launch to the new South Pembrokeshire Rail Action Group at Tenby Railway Station - rail connectivity across South Pembrokeshire has been hit in light of the pandemic,” said Mr. Kurtz.

“The launch coincided with the restoration of services on the South Pembrokeshire line, but more is still needed.

“I look forward to working with SPRAG and Transport for Wales to improve the rail services across all of South Pembrokeshire and towards Carmarthenshire, as more people want to make the conscious decision to leave the car at home and take public transport instead.

SPRAG is campaigning for improvements to rail services in South Pembrokeshire. The key objectives of the group are to see the introduction of an hourly train service between Pembroke Dock and Swansea as recommended in the West Wales Metro study.

Other objectives include improvements to line speeds thus reducing journey times, an affordable and intelligent ticketing structure and to permit the use of the ‘All Wales Concessionary Travel Pass’ on the route between Pembroke Dock and Swansea.

The South Pembrokeshire Rail Action Group can be contacted via Facebook or Twitter @allaboardsprag or by e-mail at: [email protected]