Plans to re-open Carno Station move forward

Members of the Carno Station Action Group travelled down to Cardiff earlier this week to deliver the document in the hope of re-opening the station which was closed in 1963.

Local Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, Russell George, has revealed that Carno Station has now been included on the Welsh Government list which will look into the possibility of re-opening it.

In a letter to the action group, the cabinet secretary for transport, Ken Skates AM, confirmed that his officials will now seek further information from Network Rail on the deliverability and operational considerations.

Mr George said: "After 10 long years, I'm delighted that the cabinet secretary has announced that Carno will be considered as a potential new railway station.

"I was also pleased that the first minister confirmed the Welsh Government's desire to see Carno station reopened pending the successful outcome of the assessment process.

"The local community has been pressing for the re-opening of Carno station for many years, due to the dramatically improved access to jobs and services that the station would provide, and I would like to pay tribute to the work which the Carno Station Action Group have done over the years to make the strong case for the station to be re-opened.

"The journey continues, but it's clear the hard work is paying off and the next phase of the campaign will now begin."

The station shut when Lord Beeching restructured the UK's railways but trains still pass through the village between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth.

Les George, councillor for Carno, added: "After many years of waiting, I'm delighted that the Welsh Government have confirmed the inclusion of Carno on the list of potential new stations.

"Without the work of the Carno Station Action Group, I don't think we would be in this position and while we can't fully celebrate yet, we have made a big step in the right direction.

"I look forward to supporting the action group in the next stage of the campaign."