MAKING Ceredigion better connected to south Wales through an Aberystwyth-Carmarthen rail link could play a key role in keeping young people and skilled workers in the area.

That is the view of former Ceredigion MP Mark Williams who has added his voice to criticism of Welsh Labour’s ‘lack of ambition’ towards building a such a link.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats say a restored rail line would help boost the economy and push more people away from cars towards public transport.

And Mr Williams - the former Welsh LiberaL MP for Ceredigion who has previously campaigned on the issue, said: “Ceredigion has a massive problem with depopulation.

“Too many young people leave our county to seek out opportunities elsewhere.

“It could also help build up our local economy, especially in towns and villages along the line.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for the much-needed investment in West Wales even if the Welsh Government show indifference.”

The Welsh Liberal Democrat offensive was sparked following comments made by First Minister Mark Drakeford with Qatari news agency Al Jazeera in which he appeared to pour cold water on the idea.

During the interview Mr Drakeford said ‘easy routes between north and south have never been possible’, blaming Wales’s hilly topography.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats maintain that not only is the current rail system not working effectively, but that the First Minister has shown ‘a lack of ambition’ for Wales.

Re-opening the Aberystwyth-Carmarthen rail line has long been a Welsh Liberal Democrat policy.

It originally closed as a result of the Beeching cuts in February 1965. And predicted costs for its re-opening are £620 million.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats argue this could be met by the Conservatives in Westminster giving Wales the £5 billion it is owed in consequential funds from HS2.

They say the amount would more than cover the reopening of the line.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds described Mr Drakeford’s remarks as ‘disappointing’.

“The average journey time by train between Cardiff Queen Street and Aberystwyth is six hours and 23 minutes while by car it is just 2.5 hours,” she said.

“The re-opening of the line should be a priority for the Welsh Government - if they can waste £210 million of taxpayers' money on Cardiff Airport they can afford to prioritise sustainable transport.”