West Wales to Bristol train service approved
BBCA new cross-border rail service has been given the go ahead by a travel regulator.
Transport for Wales (TfW) will be running a two-hourly service from west Wales to Bristol Temple Meads following approval by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
TfW, which is owned by the Welsh government, said it hoped to "connect communities" beyond the capital, providing new opportunities for work and leisure.
During its application phase, Great Western Railway (GWR), which already runs Cardiff to Bristol trains, said a new line could have a "significant effect" on its revenue. But now the operator says it is looking forward to working with TfW to ensure services are provided in a coordinated way.
GWR is due to be brought under public ownership later this year and currently runs two services per hour between Cardiff and Bristol.
As well as concerns the new line would impact its revenue, the rail company suggested it would mean less money for the UK government.
But after further conversations with TfW which allowed them to discuss concerns over planning and route pathing, "these new services aren't to the detriment of existing ones between Bristol and South Wales", a GWR spokesperson said.
The ORR said its decision took "careful consideration of the benefits for passengers alongside the potential impact on rail performance, other services and public funding".
A spokesperson added: "The services have been approved until the December 2027 timetable change, with further work needed by the rail industry to establish the arrangements for services beyond that date."
A commuter, Miriam Kinn, who recently moved to Solva in Pembrokeshire from Bristol, said the new services "would be ideal because we [have] lots of friends [there]".
"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," said a spokesperson for TfW.
A start date and timetable for the new services will be announced in a few weeks time once the appropriate training has been sorted, they added.
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