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The Heart of Wales Line Forum relies for its success on the active support of many organisations and individuals, and we believe that, in return, we need to keep you informed. If you have any questions, want more details, or would like to comment, please contact David Edwards.
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A superb new 24-page leaflet is now available featuring a list of guided walks from railway stations within Wales and the Marches. For more, see our Walks page. |
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The Heart of Wales Winter Newsletter is now available for download, containing information on the free travel pilot scheme, the Heart of Wales line railcard, Rail and Roast Plus, reliability and punctuality, as well as the latest news from The Heart of Wales Line Travellers Association (HoWLTA) and The Heart of Wales Line Forum (HoWLF). |
Please note that The Discovery Centre at Craven Arms is closed for a major refit and will reopen at Easter 2008
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September 11th saw the launch of www.scenicwales.co.uk, a new website with information and links to other scenic railways within Wales and The Borders. The site has information on 6 beautiful lines, including the Heart of Wales Line, that are all supported by Community Rail Partnerships. |
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The regional heats of the WWT / Nikon national photography competition recently drew to a close. WWT The National Wetland Centre Wales received over 230 entries for both the “WWT Nikon Photo of the Year” and “WWT Nikon Junior Photo of the Year” competitions.
The Welsh regional winner of the WWT Nikon Photo of the Year is Jill Derbyshire from Brecon with her atmospheric depiction of a swan in flight (above).
Jill said; “My husband and I come to the National Wetland Centre Wales as often as we can and we especially like to come in each season to take photographs because there is always something different to see. For that particular photograph it was a gorgeous day and the light was glistening on the water. I happened to catch the Swan in the right spot at the right time.”
The Welsh regional winner of the WWT Nikon Junior Photo of the Year is Nia Haf Collier from Llantrisant.
A new leaflet is now available which provides information about the new free travel scheme that started on the line for 12 months from May 20th 2007. It tells you how to find out about exciting things to see and do along the line, and where to get other information about the service. There is also a ‘tear off and keep’ timetable.
The leaflet can be downloaded as a PDF file:
Download Free Rail Travel PDF (0.4 Mb)
Andrew Davies AM, Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks, today announced a free travel pilot scheme for the Conwy Valley and Heart of Wales railway lines. It starts on Sunday 20 May, the first day of the Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) Summer 2007 Timetable.
The pilot scheme runs for a twelve-month period and will enable Cerdyn Cymru bus pass holders who are residents of Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Powys free travel on the Heart of Wales Line between Swansea and Shrewsbury, via Llandrindod Wells. Bus pass holders resident in Conwy and Gwynedd can travel free on the Conwy Valley line between Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
In addition, the Heart of Wales Line scheme will allow a half-fare discount on other ATW services between Swansea and Llanelli and the Conwy Valley scheme will allow free travel between Llandudno Junction and Llandudno on all ATW services. This gives eligible people the option of more frequent travel between these destinations than is possible on Heart of Wales Line and Conwy Valley services.
Andrew Davies said, “I am delighted to introduce these one-year pilot schemes from the 20 May Summer Timetable. They will extend the availability of free travel for Cerdyn Cymru bus pass holders in these five areas along these important rural rail arteries. For some of these people, free bus travel is less convenient or in some cases impossible due to the pattern of local bus services. My aim is increase the usage of public transport as opposed to the private car."
“I am funding direct investment of some £100,000 in the one-year pilot. More than half of this is funding for the additional cost of running two-car trains in place of the current single-car operations on the Conwy Valley line in the busy Summer peak period. The remainder is match partnership funding for local authority contributions to the Heart of Wales Line scheme; funding for the Conwy Valley Rail Initiative and the Heart of Wales Line Forum to promote the scheme to eligible people, and to meet ATW’s costs in issuing tickets and analysing ticketing data which will be vital to the evaluation of the pilots.”
“I am grateful to Arriva Trains Wales, the local authority consortia and the Community Rail Partnerships for delivering a viable pilot scheme for introduction so early following my initial announcement in November last year.”
A campaign is under way to create a .cym top-level domain (TLD) for the Welsh community of interest. This would give individuals, companies, institutions and other bodies the chance to identify themselves as being of Welsh interest on the world wide web. The whole tourist industry in Wales could benefit from this simple and cheap way to create a worldwide brand for Welshness which can be used to highlight one of its unique selling points - Wales. Web addresses ending in .cym (such as Heart-of-Wales.cym) answer a strategic need for specialised industries which is currently not met by the more generic .co.uk or .com TLDs.
If you would like more information please visit the dotCYM website at www.dotcym.org.
If you support this campaign please sign the petition here or contact us if you would like to do more to help.
Arriva Trains Wales has introduced new price busting fares between Newport, Cardiff and Swansea
The new fares will start from as little as £4.90 for an off peak day return ticket between Cardiff and Swansea from Tuesday, 2 January 2007. Discounts of between 30 and 40 per cent will be available on nearly every ticket type.
The promotional fares will be available on all trains running on the route and will provide customers with the flexibility to ‘turn up and go’ at all times of day and evening.
At peak times the fare between Swansea and Cardiff has now reduced from £10.60 to £6.40. An adult off peak day return will be £4.90, which will represent a cheaper fare option than the current Swansea, Cardiff shuttle bus service. Child fares start from £2.45 day return and normal railcard discounts will apply.
Mike Bagshaw, commercial director, Arriva Trains Wales said: “We feel it is important our customers should benefit from competitive pricing but at the same have the flexibility to use their ticket on all train operators services in the area - particularly when travelling home after a busy day.”
“We now have extra capacity on Arriva train services on this route and this new fares structure will encourage passengers to take advantage of this. Effectively passengers will have access to a half hourly service at peak periods between Cardiff and Swansea and up to eight trains an hour between Cardiff and Newport.”
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The South Shropshire District Council has been working with Arriva Trains Wales to develop a new product to promote evening travel on the Marches Line between Shrewsbury and Hereford. This product is aimed at visitors who may wish to take a scenic trip through the Shropshire Hills and stop off and explore one of the historic market and county towns along the route. |
The Evening Rover Ticket is valid on all services between Shrewsbury and Hereford after 1830hrs and gives passengers freedom to hop on and off any service up until the last trains of the evening. Adult tickets cost £6.50 each with accompanied children under 15 £3.25, under 5's free. More information is available from the Arriva Trains website.
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Find out about this circular one day tour in either direction enabling you to view the best of Wales & the English Borders, breaking your journey wherever you choose. The tour starts at any station on the route of validity. Cardiff Central - Craven Arms - Shrewsbury - Llandrindod Wells - Llanelli - Swansea - Cardiff Central. The leaflet can be downloaded as a PDF file: |
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There are new leaflets now available with information on walks from Heart of Wales line stations and information about the Heart of Wales 48-hour Rover which can both be downloaded as a PDF files: |
Jamie Owen's Welsh Journeys on BBC 2 Wales or BBC Wales Digital (2W), Tuesday 22nd November featured Jamie travelling on the Heart of Wales Line from Llandeilo to Knighton.
Those who enjoyed (or missed) the programme may like to know that a book now accompanies the series. It has a chapter on the Heart of Wales line and is published by Gomer Press for the BBC, and costs £19.99.
On 16th November, Kirsty Williams, Assembly Member for Brecon and Radnor, lead a short WAG (Welsh Assembly Government) debate, speaking on her chosen topic - The Heart of Wales Line.
She eloquently set out the history and characterisitcs of the line - its usefulness to local people, and considerable potential for use in the development of sustainable tourism in the 120 milea area it serves. It was clear that she had been convinced by many of the points we made to her in a recent briefing session when she visited the line.
She summarised the Forum's aspirations - especially the need for an enhanced timetable, more suitable rolling stock, and for some form of tourist train service.
AMs Elin Jones, Eleanor Burnham and Nick Bourne all spoke in support of her, and the line.
Replying, Minister for Economic Development and Transport Andrew Davies (after acknowledging his role as a Vice President of the Heart of Wales Line Travellers Association) echoed many of Kirsty's sentiments whilst also taking the opportunity to rehearse some of WAG's recent practical support for the line, and for other Welsh railways.
He concluded a supportive response by reiterating WAG's intention to continue working in partership with the Forum.
You may read the entire transcript of the debate which is now available online.
A popular travel offer is being extended and relaunched to encourage more local people to make use of the picturesque railway line between Swansea and Shrewsbury.
Local train operator Arriva Trains Wales/Trenau Arriva Cymru, working in partnership with the Heart of Wales Line Travellers Forum, is launching a railcard to allow local travellers to experience the scenic Heart of Wales Railway Line at a discounted rate.
The travel initiative was officially launched on Thursday 29 September at Llandeilo Railway Station by Tamsin Dunwoody, Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Transport.
During the visit the Deputy Minister met a number of the line’s supporters and had the opportunity to experience the scenic rail line between Swansea and Llandeilo. She was one of the first to use the line’s new ‘U turn’ electronic customer information units – a first for UK railways.
The ‘U turn’ information units, made in Aberavon, provide spoken tourist information for customers when the handle on the unit is turned. Turned in one direction, the information is in English: turned the other way, Welsh is used. The units will initially be sited at six stations on the Carmarthenshire section of the Heart of Wales Line.
Malcolm Howitt, Stakeholder Liaison Manager for Arriva Trains Wales/Trenau Arriva Cymru, said: “A ride along the Heart of Wales Line is not only a relaxing and convenient way to travel locally and avoid traffic congestion, but also offers an ideal day out. We are confident that even more local customers will now take advantage of this railcard offer and benefit from discounted travel on the line.”
Tamsin Dunwoody, Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Transport said: "The Heart of Wales Line is an ideal way of experiencing the beautiful Welsh countryside between Swansea and Shrewsbury as well as providing the local community with a regular transport resource. The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to developing an integrated transport system across Wales. Encouraging people to use public transport regularly is important and schemes like this one can only help us reach that aim."
The railcard costs just £5 for 12 months and offers at least one third off all individual Standard Class rail fares on the line to residents living within a recently extended local postcode area.
Application forms are available at stations including Swansea, Llanelli and Shrewsbury. For more information contact the HOWL travel centre on 01597 822053.
The Forum and the Travellers Association are working closely together to make the most of a £20k grant from Carmarthenshire based Antur Teifi. The money is being used to enhance facilities at a number of Heart of Wales Line stations in Carmarthenshire, for the benefit of locals and tourists alike. The grant is being matched by volunteer effort, and by 'in kind' support from Arriva Trains Wales and Carmarthenshire Country Council.
Projects that are now going ahead include:
All of the above projects are now in course of implementation, with completion
expected by March.
This strategy was launched recently, and received a pretty negative reception from the press, in particular from sub editors. It was noteworthy that whilst the launch was pretty well reported, the headlines spoke of 'another Beeching', and spoke in terms of doom and gloom.
The Heart of Wales Line is one of those listed as a potential Community Railway, and the Forum views the SRA strategy as having great potential. As set out in the strategy, we want to:
On Feb 7th the Forum will be meeting to review and update the 5 year
strategic development plan set out last year. The SRA strategy will provide
an important platform for our efforts, and we're very positive about it.
During 2004 our visitor and hits statistics continued to reach new highs. In July 2004 alone, there were:
This brings the total number of hits during 2004 to almost half a million!
The Strategic Rail Authority's Community Rail Strategy was launched by the transport Minister Tony McNulty on 22nd November. It sets out a framework for taking forward Britain's local and rural railways as vital arteries of the local economy and has been welcomed by the Heart of Wales Line. The Heart of Wales Line Forum's Chairman Cllr Mansel Williams said 'This strategy provides us with a common sense way to run and manage our line that maximises the involvement of local communities and businesses - to the advantage of all. The Forum is already working closely with Arriva Trains Wales on a 5-year development plan for the line. I believe that the strategy will help us all to increase the number of passengers carried, (already 10% up on last year) and to develop imaginative ways of promoting community rail to achieve improved accessibility to rural England and Wales.'
For more, see Frequently Asked Questions about
the strategy.
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On Sunday October 3rd, Andrew Davies (Minister for Economic Development, Assembly Member for Swansea West and a HoWLTA patron) made a short speech at Swansea Station to launch the first Heart of Wales Line Sunday train funded by the WAG (Welsh Assembly Government). Also present were Julian Viggers (Arriva Trains Wales Station manager), and Gillian Bell (Arriva Trains Wales Head of marketing) who welcomed the Minister to the station. |
Gillian Wright (HoWLTA Chairman) presented the Minister with a copy of the new HoWLTA guide to the line.
After the ceremony, a party including David Edwards (HoWL Development
Officer, Councillor Alan Robinson (City and County of Swansea), a group
from Dunvant Male Voice Choir and other friends of the line travelled
to Llandovery for a celebratory lunch at the North Western Hotel, attended
by the Lady Mayor of Llandovery.
Transport Minsiter Kim Howells Praised the Heart of Wales Line but also added a friendly warning when the Heart of Wales Line Forum recently welcomed Transport Minister Kim Howells to Llandovery, an historic town on the line. He awarded Arriva Trains Wales ‘Adopt a Station’ certificates to Mr & Mrs W Mainwearing, and to Mrs Marguerite Rees, Mayor of Llandovery, to mark their respective adoptions of Llangadog and Llandovery stations.
The Minister also:
- saw plans for the improvement of Llandovery station by Carmarthen CC
using Welsh Assembly Government funds
- examined an innovative solid state electronic information unit (the
‘U turn’) soon to be installed at stations on the line (the
‘U turn’ is made in Wales)
‘I am pleased and impressed by the developments I have seen today on this important rural railway line’, he said. ‘The line is very expensive to run, but it has a long term future – so long as it is used. The commitment of local people and communities is important’, he continued. He went on to comment that whereas other parts of the country no longer had railway lines, and would find it difficult or impossible to reopen them, the Heart of Wales line was still in place. Capable of running main line passenger trains it represented a huge underexploited investment, which he would like to see better used.’
David Edwards, Development Officer for the Heart of Wales Line Forum told the Minister how the Forum was working closely with Arriva Trains Wales to develop a five year plan for the development of the line as an agent for economic regeneration.. Based on the forthcoming UK Community Rail Strategy it aimed to bring about a better service, even more involvement of local businesses and councils, and the sustainable boosting of tourism along the line.
Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) recently hosted a strategic planning ‘Awayday’ for members of the Heart of Wales Line Forum – a consortium of bodies committed to the use and improvement of the line and its services.
The meeting took place at an auspicious time. ATW took over the 15 year Wales and Borders franchise in December 2003. There are also moves to give the Welsh Assembly Government greater powers over rail services. And the SRA’s recent consultative document on the development of Community Railways also points toward a more cost effective system of management, with greater local involvement, for lines such as the 120 mile ‘international’ Heart of Wales Line.
Those attending represented a wide range of interest groups: the counties
served by the
Line (City and County of Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Powys, Shropshire),
the Welsh Assembly Government, Heart of Wales Line Travellers Association,
Network Rail, Wales Tourist Board Regional Partnership, Shropshire Tourism,
and of course Arriva Trains Wales.
Peter Strachan, ATW’s MD, set the scene by making it clear that his policy was very much one of wanting to work closely with all the Forum partners. ‘We don’t see this as ‘our’ railway – hands off’, he said. ‘The line can clearly play an important part in the local rural economy of the counties it serves. We don’t have all the answers in Cardiff: it makes sense to work closely with the people that do’.
Forum Line Development Officer David Edwards set the scene by presenting a short summary of the successes – and frustrations – that the Forum had experienced in its 12 year life. The rest of the day was spent with the support of facilitators to brainstorm and then prioritise a range of ideas – short and long term – to improve every aspect of the line, its timetable, rolling stock, method of management, marketing, product development and links with community and the main industry of the area – tourism. This preliminary plan is now being refined into the first years objectives of a rolling strategy that will operate for the life of the franchise. The aim is to present this for approval at the next full Forum meeting in September.
All present at the Awayday went away enthusiastic at what had been achieved.
‘I was really impressed at the positive and supportive attitude of
everyone there’ said Peter.
‘They came from very varied backgrounds and yet there was unanimous
support for what the line has to offer, and how it can be improved’.
The Strategic Rail Authority has released a consultative document on the future management and development of lines like the Heart of Wales. Entitled 'Community Rail Development', it seeks views on the proposed strategy and can be downloaded from sra.gov.uk. The Heart of Wales Line Forum will be responding to it.
We welcome your views, or you can send them direct to the SRA as set
out in the document. Closing Date May 28th.
The Community Transport Unit at Llanwrtyd Wells is now able to offer a Ring and Ride service to and from the town and its station, subject to availability. A nominal charge is made. Ring 01591 610828 to arrange your journey!
The deservedly popular American travel writer Bill Bryson, author of many engaging reads such as Notes from a Small Island, Down Under and The Lost Continent, rode the whole of the Heart of Wales line and wrote a wonderful article that appeared in the Sunday Times, December 14th.
With reference to the matchless scenery, 'an Eden of green fields and rolling hills', Bryson described the line as being not 'the fastest way to get to Llandrindod Wells, but it was surely the most rewarding.' At Llandrindod he was 'won over by its wealth of Victorian charms' and, being a fan of good museums, spoke highly of the National Cycle Collection and the lovingly restored Signal Box Museum.
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A special train has been officially named "Dylan Thomas 1914 - 1953", to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Dylan Thomas. Mrs Aeronwy Thomas, daughter of the famous Welsh poet, named the train at Swansea Station on Tuesday 2 September 2003. |
Robert Clarke, Station Manager for Wales & Borders Trains at Swansea said: "Dylan's work is renowned worldwide and we are delighted to be able to reflect his contribution to Swansea and South West Wales by naming one of our trains in his honour. This train will help to promote Swansea as a great place to visit."
Sean Keir, Cultural Development Officer at the Dylan Thomas Centre said: "The Dylan Thomas Centre is particularly pleased with this memorial to Dylan as it will be seen by many thousands of travellers over many years. A moving tribute to Wales's greatest poet will further spread his fame beyond our borders. I am sure it will help to attract visitors to Dylan's Wales."
The train being unveiled by Mrs Thomas operates along the scenic Heart of Wales Line in addition to services between Swansea and West Wales along the "Dylan Thomas Trail". It is one of six trains that have been re-liveried to promote the Heart of Wales Line and illustrate poetry from Dylan's "A Winters Tale".
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Great Walks from the Heart of Wales Railway is a new book featuring 15 circular walks from stations on the line and includes specially drawn maps. The location of each walk and its station starting point is shown on the back cover, and a summary and the length of each is given on a special chart on the inside back cover. Each walk has been devised by the author, David Perrott, and independently checked by another experienced walker. There is something for every grade of rambler, from an easy 'Dylan Thomas' stroll around Swansea to a more strenuous mountain excursion 'On the trail of Owain Glyndwr', from a riverside walk by the Wye to visit the Llywelyn Memorial to a 'Walk in Wild Wales' following the footsteps of George Borrow. |
This book gives the opportunity, if you wish, to leave the car behind and enjoy a spectacular train ride to the start of your walk. The Heart of Wales Line Travellers Association, who have supported the whole project, hope that you will support the line, and enjoy a fine day's walking as well!
The author, David Perrott, is Mid-Wales editor of Walking Wales magazine. He has written several walking guides, and is editor of the eight volumes of Nicholson Waterway.
The guide is available at £3.95 from Tourist Information Centres along the line and good bookshops (ISBN 1 902302 24 9). It is also available direct from the publishers:
Kittiwake Books,
3 Glantwymyn Village Workshops,
Cemmaes Road,
Machynlleth, SY20 8LY.
Please add 75p to cover P&P and make cheques out to 'Walking Wales'.
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Each station on the Heart of Wales Line already has a little blue box (see photo left) with a button that allows you to access real-time information about the arrival of your train. The project is now being enhanced and at Knighton, Llandovery, Ammanford and Pantyffynnon where there is a TV screen providing additional information. |
