Following the update on the Welsh Government’s plans for a Wales wide, interconnected Metro transport system, local Member of the Senedd, Samuel Kurtz has expressed concern that the rail link between Whitland and Pembroke Dock appears to have been ignored.
The plans for the rail scheme detail the long term intention to improve stations at Haverfordwest, Milford and Whitland, a desire to electrify and add capacity on the Carmarthen to Milford Haven route, as well as increasing the travel speed between Haverfordwest and Milford, but only discuss increasing capacity on the link between Whitland and Pembroke Dock.
Commenting Samuel said:
“Whilst I warmly welcome the plans to improve Wales’ public transport infrastructure and connectivity, I am frustrated that South Pembrokeshire has been forgotten about by the Welsh Government.
“Tenby station is the busiest in Pembrokeshire and is the gateway to one of our crown jewel seaside resorts while Pembroke Dock is a key location for travellers connecting too and from Ireland, yet these and other smaller stations along the South Pembrokeshire rail route will see no tangible benefits from the extra investment announced by the Deputy Minister.
“A Wales wide, interconnected transport system is a vital tool in our fight against climate change. But in encouraging people out of their cars, it is important that the public transport infrastructure is there to make this viable. I am delighted that thanks to campaigns from my colleague Simon Hart and myself, the new train station in St Clears is due to open in 2024, but there is much more that needs to be done.
“Travelling between North and South Pembrokeshire on public transport is almost as challenging as travelling between north and south Wales. It is important to the counties economy that Pembrokeshire is treated as single entity by the Welsh Government. Sadly these plans seem to have ignored the Pembrokeshire that exists south of the Cleddau.
“I urge the Deputy Minister to give further consideration to his Metro plans to ensure that South Pembrokeshire does not miss out”.
