Transport for Wales (TfW) has been given the go-ahead to run a new cross-border rail service to Bristol. The Welsh Government-owned transport company has secured approval from regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for a two-hourly service from west Wales to Bristol Temple Meads.
Route details and objections
GWR, which currently operates South Wales to Bristol Temple Meads services, had objected, claiming that competition from TfW would lead to revenue extraction. However, from the end of this year, it will come under state ownership.
In its application, TfW was seeking to run services from Cardiff Central and Bristol Temple Meads, stopping at Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction, Filton Abbey Wood and Stapleton Road. West of Cardiff, TfW said some services would originate from or extend to Fishguard or Milford Haven. While calling patterns will vary, stations such as Bridgend, Port Talbot Parkway, Neath, Swansea and Carmarthen could be served.
Service frequency and launch
Its actual launch date is in December and details of stations called at will be confirmed later this month. The service will be broadly two-hourly with nine services each way on weekdays and Saturday and five services each way on Sunday.
The through services to and from west Wales will be achieved by combining the new Cardiff to Bristol services with existing west Wales services at Cardiff Central. TfW already runs cross-border services on its Wales and Borders network, including to Manchester.
Potential benefits and next steps
The Bristol route has the potential to prove popular with passengers, including commuters. Increasing services between South Wales and Bristol could also help reduce car journeys on the M4.
The ORR has given TfW access rights for a 12-month period. While it had been seeking an open-ended agreement, it is hoping that, after a year, the rights will become permanent.
A spokesperson for Transport for Wales said: “We welcome the ORR’s decision to grant access rights for 12 months to enable TfW to launch a new two-hourly service to/from Bristol Temple Meads.
“We are confident these new services will bring significant benefits, including additional capacity on this busy route and new direct journey opportunities between communities in West Wales and Bristol.
“A start date and timetable for the new services will be announced in the coming weeks, subject to the completion of the necessary crew training.”
Meanwhile, a new west Wales to London train service is on track to launch next year, while Transport for Wales (TfW) is looking to run trains to Bristol. Lumo, the open-access train operator owned by transport giant FirstGroup, will operate a daily service from Carmarthen to London Paddington. It plans to launch in December 2027.
Grand Union Trains first secured approval for the route from regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in 2022, after an initial application had been rejected. It had faced opposition from GWR, which operates its own South Wales to London Paddington services. Grand Union subsequently sold its rights to the route to FirstGroup in 2024. The value of the deal was not disclosed.
The route will provide five return services a day, calling at Carmarthen, Llanelli, Gowerton, Cardiff, Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction, Bristol Parkway and London Paddington.
