New plans revealed for Cardiff’s main rail stations

"This is the first look at the major redevelopments planned for Wales’ two busiest railway stations.

Cardiff Central station will have a new two-storey southern entrance and ticket hall under plans submitted by Network Rail.

Nearby Cardiff Queen Street station will also finally have a new entrance fit for the 21st Century."

http://yourcardiff.walesonline.co.uk/2011/02/09/new-plans-revealed-for-cardiff-main-rail-stations/

Charles and Camilla open Llandovery railway station

"A newly refurbished railway station which has been closed for nearly 20 years is being opened by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Llandovery station in Carmarthenshire boasts a new waiting room, café and a display of historic local artefacts.

The railway first came to the town in 1858, but the station building was closed in 1992."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-13973603

Old tracks could see trains again

"Passenger lines axed from the rail network under the Beeching reforms in the 1960s could once again see trains.

The Welsh Assembly Government has asked Network Rail to conduct feasibility studies on two former track stretches.

The lines are on old sections between Llangefni on Anglesey and Bangor, and between Aberdare and Hirwaun in the Cynon valley in south Wales. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8346748.stm

Millionth passenger for rail link

"This goes to show what a worthwhile investment this has been and how it is bringing economic and social benefits to many people along this route."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8315327.stm

Drivers 'losing out' to railways

"A spokesman for Network Rail described the alliances' figures as "highly misleading".

"Motorists should welcome investment in Britain's railways as it is one of the best ways to reduce congestion on the roads," he added.

Meanwhile, the Department for Transport said in a statement: "We must both tackle congestion and provide a safe, reliable and sustainable road network for the 21st Century.

"But to beat congestion we must also provide high-quality public transport and we make no apology for investing in rail, which is having clear benefits." "

The Open Veins of Wales

"Dr Beeching helped turn the country I’ve come to love into an outpost of empire. Now his legacy can be reversed. "

[...]

"There are plenty of lobbyists calling for new roads, but Father Deiniol’s plan is likely to be cheaper and more sustainable. His survey of the disused railway lines of Wales shows that there is one route - from Rhyl through Denbigh, Rhuthun, Corwen, Newtown, Llanidloes, Rhaeadr and Builth Road to Dowlais - which would require only two miles of new formation to link Holyhead to Cardiff(2). The rest of the way makes use of current and former railways. He proposes that short feeder lines also be built connecting this trunk route to Mold, Llangollen, Oswestry, Bala, Hay-on-Wye and Brecon(3)."


http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2008/12/30/the-open-veins-of-wales/

I think this may be the route: http://tinyurl.com/7chsc4

See also


http://welshramblings.blogspot.com/2008/12/deiniols-north-south-railway-plan-for.html

and


http://inconsiderateparking.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-railway-connections-for-wales.html

City’s employers endorse commuting by bike

"Employers in Cardiff are recommending that their staff commute by bike to improve health and productivity and to beat the rising cost of motoring. Cycle Training Wales is a new social enterprise set up to provide exactly the services required to encourage staff to switch to two wheels."

http://www.cyclecardiff.org.uk/?p=137

Rail users save by splitting fares

"Mr Lewis, the founder of consumer and finance website www.moneysavingexpert.com, said that a standard Newport- Edinburgh return ticket could cost £200, but fare splitting could mean passengers pay just £92 to get to the same destination."

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/06/14/rail-users-save-by-splitting-fares-91466-21071900/

'Far reaching' Wales rail vision

"Extra platforms, new stations, longer trains and more tracks are among the measures being proposed in a 10-year plan to improve Wales' railways.

Network Rail's consultation document aims to provide a service that better connects north and south Wales. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7425812.stm

National Rail Live Departure Boards

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ldb/livedepartures.asp