Ceredigion’s local Plaid Cymru candidate Elin Jones has joined party leader Leanne Wood in meeting members of Trawslink Cymru, the campaign to re-establish north-south rail links in Wales.
A commitment to proceed with a full feasibility study on reopening the line from Aberystwyth to Tregaron, Lampeter and Carmarthen is included in Plaid Cymru’s manifesto for the Welsh elections on May 5, as part of a wider commitment to spread transport investment throughout the whole of Wales.
Last year, Trawslink’s campaign was successful in persuading the Welsh Government to undertake an initial scoping study into the project, and Elin Jones has met with Network Rail to discuss ways in which the work could be taken forward.
Elin Jones, Plaid Cymru candidate for Ceredigion, said;
"I’m very pleased that Plaid Cymru has decided to support a full feasibility study into reopening the Aberystwyth to Carmarthen railway line in our manifesto.
"We need a transport policy that puts an emphasis on sustainability, and on improving infrastructure that links all parts of Wales. Moving this rail project forward to the next step, as well as laying out plans to improve roads, bus routes and cycle paths, is an important part of Plaid Cymru’s commitment to that goal.
"The current Labour Government wishes to spend £1 billion on a short stretch of the M4. Plaid Cymru would spread this investment more fairly to all parts of Wales."
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said;
"It was great to meet members of Trawslink, who have mounted such an effective campaign to raise north-south rail links up the political agenda.
"The project to reopen the Aberystwyth to Carmarthen railway has been championed by Elin Jones and Plaid Cymru will continue to support this project.
"Plaid Cymru supports public ownership over the railway and we will continue to seek unrestricted control over awarding future rail franchises.
"When Plaid Cymru was in government we made investing in infrastructure a priority, and Wales continues to feel the benefit of this investment. We are ready to continue with this project, and invest in rail, road and digital infrastructure right across Wales."