A consultation has been launched to seek people’s views on the future of what Transport for Wales described as ‘a major transport hub in south west Wales’
People have been invited to have their say on the future of Carmarthen Railway Station(Image: Media Wales)
A consultation has been launched as part of plans to improve a Welsh railway station previously labelled an “atrocity” and a “disgrace”.
Transport for Wales (TfW) is inviting people to share their views on the future of Carmarthen Railway Station as part of a public consultation which is running until October 12, with local residents, visitors to the town and commuters being asked to submit their opinions.
While Network Rail owns the station, it is operated by TfW, and the latter 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”. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here.
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.
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. One customer wrote: “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.
“The toilets have been out of commission for months and they expect you to use portaloos outside of the premises which have not been cleaned at all to my knowledge, or if they have not very well at all. If you’re planning a journey to Carmarthen, do not go via train. Easily the worst train station I have ever been to.”
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 in order to improve passenger experience.
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.
“Carmarthen Station has always been an incredibly important location for us, linking the town and wider community into rail services towards Swansea, Cardiff, Manchester and London, as well as key locations in Pembrokeshire.
“Recently, we’ve seen the successful development of TrawsCymru services to and from Aberystwyth, and later this year we’ll be launching a new north-south express coach service linking the station to Bangor.
“So it’s definitely the right time for us to understand what improvements at Carmarthen railway station would enhance the overall customer experience.”
People can have their say on the future of the station by taking part in TfW’s online survey here.
