THE Welsh Government has given reassurances that direct trains from Aberystwyth to Birmingham will continue when the new Wales and Borders Franchise is awarded, and that frequency will not be reduced.

Russell George, the Montgomeryshire AM who is also Shadow Cabinet Secretary with responsibility for transport, sought assurances from the Welsh Government that direct services to Birmingham would continue in the next Wales and Borders Rail Franchise which comes into force in October 2018.

After receiving confirmation from the Welsh Government that direct services to Birmingham would be a condition of the new franchise and that the current service frequency would be maintained, Mr George said: “Concerns had previously been expressed by groups representing passengers about the possibility of splitting the current Aberystwyth to Birmingham International service, with trains on the Cambrian Line terminating in Shrewsbury rather than Birmingham International, as they do now.

“I am therefore pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has confirmed to me in writing that direct services to Birmingham will be condition of the next Wales and Borders rail services agreement and that the current service frequency will be maintained.

“Splitting services would have meant that those travelling to Birmingham and vice-versa would have to change in Shrewsbury. This would severely inconvenience a large number of passengers and have a negative impact on the mid Wales economy.

“I am therefore grateful that the Welsh Government has made this commitment to retain direct services between Birmingham and Aberystwyth.”