Ceredigion’s Welsh Liberal Democrat MP, Mark Williams, has questioned managers of Arriva Trains Wales in an evidence session this morning of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee, looking into cross border transport issues.

Mark Williams questioned the management of Arriva Trains Wales on a number of matters, focusing on overcrowding, the provision of an hourly service between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury, and a direct service between Aberystwyth and London.

Commenting Mark Williams said: ‘The Arriva Trains Wales management were keen to explain that they are doing all they can with the resources they have available to cope with the issue of overcrowding, but I reminded them that this is a huge issue in the Summer months when tourists are coming to the area, and when the students are heading home after term ends. I know measures are being taken, but I question whether this was addressing the root of the problem.

‘I also urged Arriva Trains Wales to make progress with an hourly service and a direct route from Aberystwyth to London. Whilst they weren’t hopeful about the latter, they have been having discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government about on the hourly service issue and I hope progress can be made here and the residents of mid Wales won’t have to wait much longer for the proposals to become reality.’