Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has called on Transport for Wales to reconsider its decision to omit station stops along the North Wales coast, including Rhyl and Prestatyn, on a late afternoon service from Holyhead.
James has sent a letter to the Chief Executive of Transport for Wales (TfW), James Price, highlighting the problems this is causing passengers travelling to and from Rhyl and Prestatyn, and urging him to review the situation.
Meanwhile, Denbighshire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Environmental Impact, Waste and Sustainable Travel, Cllr Brian Jones, has contacted Transport Minister for Wales, Ken Skates AM, over the timetable changes made by TfW and the impact they are having on passengers in Denbighshire.
James said:
“I have received a considerable number of complaints from constituents since these changes were introduced.
“Since mid-December, the removal of Rhyl and Prestatyn as stops for the 16.51 Holyhead to Cardiff service has been causing difficulties for those who have relied on it for work, or their university studies.
“Rail users need quality services connecting all the stations of North Wales, Crewe, Liverpool and Manchester, including our regional airports, and I have urged TFW to focus on delivering this.
“In the short term I have called on them to reinstate stops at Rhyl and Prestatyn for the 16.51 Holyhead to Cardiff service. Should capacity be available to service longer routes, I have also asked them to look first and foremost at the reintroduction of direct trans-Pennine services”.
James added:
“Current and potential rail passengers in North Wales primarily seek frequent and reliable services between stations in North Wales and the North West. Far too many journeys within the North Wales Mersey Dee region are made by car as rail services do not meet the needs of local people. This needs to change.”
Cllr Brian Jones said:
“Some of the revisions to rail timetables in December 2019 resulted in a detrimental impact on Denbighshire residents and visitors and I have written to the Transport Minister to highlight this.
Cllr Jones also expressed his concern to the Minister that there appears to have been no consultation by TfW Rail Services regarding the service revisions.
