Chance to air views on Shropshire rail link to Welsh coast

The Welsh Government has commissioned the Shrewsbury–Aberystwyth Railway Liaison Committee to undertake a wide-ranging consultation, which will include surveys on trains and at stations between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth and up along the coast line to Pwllheli.

Robert Robinson, Welshpool Town Council Clerk and Secretary of the Shrewsbury-Aberystwyth Railway Liaison Committee, said Edwina Hart, the Welsh Government's transport minister, will examine the survey's evidence to ascertain the level of need for an enhanced service.

Mr Robinson said: "The survey and consultation will be between October 7 and 20 2013 where events will be held in towns along the line to see what the passengers and rail users want from the service.

"Survey forms will be delivered house-to-house in Welshpool and Newtown to ensure we gather as much hard evidence of future usage of an enhanced service as we can.

"In addition to people who already use the line, we need responses from people who don't, to find out why and what changes could encourage them to use it."

The survey and the wider consultation is being funded by the Welsh Government.

Steve Kaye, Welshpool Town Councillor and leader of the town's business forum, said: "This is great news not only just for Welshpool but for the whole of Mid Wales.

"It is great to hear that we could, if hard evidence is forthcoming, have an enhanced service. It will also help businesses because, with a regular train service to and from the Midlands, people will be able to get about far easier. It should be a great boost."

Mr Kaye said it would also aid students who attend Aberystwyth University.

Mansel Williams, Shropshire Councillor and chairman of the Shrewsbury Aberystwyth Railway Liaison Committee, said details of the survey will be announced after a meeting of Local Authorities and Rail User groups along the line on Thursday.

• See also: Shropshire MPs in crunch talks with rail bosses on London link