Transport for Wales (TfW) has launched a public consultation on the future of Carmarthen Railway Station, which was previously labelled an “atrocity” and a “disgrace”. The consultation runs until October 12, with local residents, visitors to the town and commuters invited to submit their opinions.
Station's role and public criticism
While Network Rail owns the station, it is operated by TfW. TfW says the feedback it receives will help the company “understand passenger experiences and identify opportunities to make journeys between different modes of transport easier, safer and more convenient by improving the overall passenger experience, better integrating bus and rail services and enhancing access to the station for all users”.
Carmarthen Railway Station is described by TfW as “a major transport hub in south west Wales” because it “serves as a key interchange between TrawsCymru coach services and the rail network”. However, the station came in for fierce criticism late last year when passengers were less than kind about the overall appearance of the facility and the services it offered.
Previous complaints and improvements
A director of a local business located nearby said that his customers “frequently comment on the disgraceful appearance of the station”, adding “as the gateway to west Wales, this is simply unacceptable”. On social media, one visitor called the station “a disgrace to Carmarthen”. Online reviews were not complimentary either, with one customer writing: “Absolute atrocity of a station. Trains never arrive on time or on the right platform and you are not informed of this via the useless Tannoy they have or the staff present.”
Issues raised were so bad that Ann Davies, the MP for Caerfyrddin, met with representatives from TfW and Network Rail at the station last September, with Mrs Davies saying that “Carmarthen station should reflect the pride we have in our town”. Since then work has been carried out to clean up the appearance of the station, and now TfW wants to take further steps to improve passenger experience.
Future plans and how to take part
Nathaniel Owen, TfW’s senior customer operations manager at the station, said: "We really want to hear the thoughts of the people who care most about Carmarthen railway station: the people who use it. Your views will help us shape its future as a gateway to west Wales."
He added that the station links the town and wider community into rail services towards Swansea, Cardiff, Manchester and London, as well as key locations in Pembrokeshire. Recently, TrawsCymru services to and from Aberystwyth have seen successful development, and later this year a new north-south express coach service linking the station to Bangor will be launched. People can have their say on the future of the station by taking part in TfW's online survey.
