First Minister faces grilling over fears Mid Wales direct link to Birmingham
Fears have been raised that Mid Wales could lose its direct link to Birmingham when a new rail franchise is launched in two years time.
Montgomeryshire Welsh Assembly member Russell George has questioned Wales' First Minister Carwyn Jones about the new Wales and Borders rail franchise which will come into force in October 2018.
Passenger groups say that they are worried about the possibility of splitting the current Aberystwyth to Birmingham International service, with trains on the Cambrian line – which includes Newtown and Welshpool stations – terminating in Shrewsbury rather than Birmingham International, as they do now.
After questioning the First Minister, Russell George said: "I have urged the First Minister to make strong representations to the joint Welsh and UK Government Working Group which is considering the services which will be operated by the replacement Wales and Border franchise from October 2018 onwards.
"Splitting services would mean those travelling to Birmingham and vice-versa would have to change in Shrewsbury.
"This would severely inconvenience a large number of passengers and have a negative impact on the Mid Wales economy.
"It is fully expected that the Welsh Government will become the franchising authority for the Wales and Borders by early 2017 and this means that any decisions made about the next rail franchising affecting rail passengers will be taken in Wales."
He added: "I will therefore be looking for the Welsh Government to make a cast iron commitment to retain direct services between Birmingham and Aberystwyth."
