Natasha Asghar, Senedd Member for South East Wales, has visited West Wales in her role as shadow Transport Minister to learn more about some of the issues facing transport operators and passengers in the region.
Natasha was joined on the visit by the local Senedd Member for Carmarthen West & South Pembrokeshire, Samuel Kurtz.
At a meeting with Neil Westerman of the Tenby Civic Society, Natasha heard about their proposals to improve rail and bus services to the town. These include the full restoration the pre covid rail timetable, improvements to service frequency and a direct rail link between South Pembrokeshire and London Paddington on summer Saturdays.
Natasha also heard concerns about the need to improve local bus services connecting the town to other parts of Pembrokeshire, with worries being expressed about the poor frequency of services in the evening and Sundays.
She then went on to meet Chris Oliver, Operations Manager of Pembroke Port, to learn more about the important strategic role the port plays in UK freight and passenger trade with Ireland.
The tour concluded with a visit to Milford Haven Railway Station with the MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire Stephen Crabb, which focussed on the need to improve station facilities.
Natasha Asghar said:
“It was great to visit West Wales to hear for myself about some of the transport issues in the region and I am grateful to Sam Kurtz and Stephen Crabb for providing me with valuable local insights.”
“It was great to see the area thriving with tourists, enjoying a sunny summers day. But it is important that towns such as Tenby are accessible for visitors who wish to make use of the public transport network.
“Neil Westerman and the members of Tenby Civic Society highlighted an number of issues regarding rail and bus services which I promised to raise in the Senedd.”
“It was good to hear from Chris Oliver how goods and passenger numbers at Pembroke Port are picking up again as covid restrictions continue to ease.”
“Milford Haven Railway Station is in desperate need of refurbishment as it provides little shelter for passengers at present in adverse weather conditions.
“It is important to the Welsh economy that the transport infrastructure improves throughout the country. I look forward to raising some of the issues that I have learned of during my visit with the Deputy Minister when the opportunity next arises.
Commenting following her visit, Samuel Kurtz said “It was great to welcome Natasha to my constituency to enable her to witness first hand some of the transport problems in rural Wales. It is vital that Welsh Government transport policy is equally focussed on the needs of rural Wales as it is on the large towns and cities of South Wales.
