Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Liz Saville Roberts (MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd), Mabon ap Gwynfor (MS for Dwyfor Meirionnydd), Cllr Elin Hywel (Gwynedd), Clare Britton (Ffestiniog Railway), David Crunkhorn (Arriva Trains Wales), Lorraine Simkiss (Tal-y-llyn Railway) and Clare Williams (Cambrian Railway Partnership). 

To receive any declaration of personal interest

No declarations of personal interest were received from any members present.

To consider any business which the Chairman decides is urgent.

None to note

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, held on December 1st 2023 be signed as a true record.

The Chair accepted the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, held on 1 December 2023, as a true record.

For information, minutes including August survey of our local train services.

Submitted for information – the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2023. ⁠Councillor Trevor Roberts (Shrewsbury/Aberystwyth Railway Committee Representative) stated that a survey of services had been completed, where local staff serving the journey between Pwllheli and Machynlleth had been praised – specific reference was made to examples of local decisions being made by local people rather than having to wait for a decision from Cardiff. He added that lessons had been learned here.

It was noted yet again that there was not enough room on the trains.

In response to a question about participating in the survey, it was noted that the survey was conducted by volunteers, and they planned to conduct another one soon. Cllr Trevor Roberts to share the date with LHE.

To receive an update from representatives.

·        Highways Engineering and YGC  

·        Network Rail

·        Transport for Wales

·        British Transport Police

Highways, Engineering and YGC (Cyngor Gwynedd)

An update about the cliff road on the A493 by Y Friog.

Apologies had come in from Mr Steffan Jones (Head of Highways, Engineering and YGC) that he was unable to attend the meeting because the Zoom link had not worked for him, therefore he could not provide a verbal update to the Committee members. He added in an e-mail to the Chair that he would share a report on the situation with the Members.

Members expressed disappointment that Steffan Jones was unable to attend the meeting, and that there was lack of progress with the situation. It was noted:

·         That the situation must be resolved

·         That the matter of the asset's ownership must be resolved, and work together to move forward

·         The road was a class A road – a busy, connecting road

·         Part of the wall had collapsed – need to repair the barrier

·         There were plenty of promises but nothing had changed

·         Network Rail were reporting that they had not received a response to letters they had sent to the Council

NETWORK RAIL

Charlotte Harries (Network Rail Communications Manager) was welcomed to the meeting. She expressed that the service was continuing to work to improve experiences for passengers. There were no specific updates on work between Machynlleth and Pwllheli, but she referred to improvements to Newtown Station.

The officer was thanked for the update. The committee also gave thanks for the work that Network Rail does to ensure that the railway link is effective for passengers.

TRANSPORT FOR WALES⁠

Gail Jones (Stakeholder Manager – North and Mid Wales) was welcomed to the meeting. She stated that the findings of the survey had been presented to Transport for Wales and that work was being done to respond to those findings. She added that the survey provided valuable information about passengers' experiences, and as requested by the members, she agreed to share information about passenger numbers that use the Cambrian Coast Railway. GJ to share the information with LHE to be distributed at the next meeting. (A comment was made, in the context of interpreting the information, that we would need to consider that the railway had been shut for some months over the past three years whilst work was being carried out on the viaduct in Barmouth).

The members were notified that a Transport Liaison Group Meeting would be held in April and that there would be more information to follow.

Matters arising from the ensuing discussion.

·         Confirmation was needed regarding the use of four-carriage trains on the Cambrian in future – at present it appeared that these trains would run twice a day and only during the summer holidays – this did not respond to the need.

·         A request for four-carriage trains had been made several years ago,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive responses to the questions enclosed herewith received since the previous meeting.

Roger Goodhew (SARPA representative)

Llanbedr Community Council

Criccieth Town Council

Criccieth Town Council

Question: Is it possible to paint Criccieth station? Criccieth in Bloom is working hard on improvements and maintenance of the lands there, and it would be a great boost to have a lick of paint to the station to improve the appearance and welcome users there. Thank you very much for your consideration. Thank you very much for agreeing to remove the graffiti on the bridges – and for the excellent work in Criccieth station and for cutting the tree growth near Cae Crwn allotments.

Answer: That Transport for Wales and Network Rail can work together as one industry to carry out the improvements.

Llanbedr Community Council

Question: There has been mention in the Council recently of proposed upgrading before the end of March on the shelter at Talwrn Bach Llanbedr Station. I would like to have confirmation of whether this is true?

Answer: Work is underway to find a source of funding to carry out the work. It was noted that the structure of the platform was not suitable for building a new shelter, but that work was being done to restore and paint the existing shelter.

Question: Are there any potential developments for installing barriers at the crossing here?

Answer:  Network Rail to ask their Railway Crossing Team for information regarding the situation.

Question: Regarding a litter bin.  Could we press for this?  As Cyngor Gwynedd have not provided a dog mess bin by the site. Is there a way of reaching an agreement with Cyngor Gwynedd to collect litter from the station?

Answer: The litter bin / dog mess bin was a matter for the Council. Transport for Wales refused to install a litter bin in Llanbedr because the train officials would be expected to collect the rubbish (which contained dog fouling) – this was not an ideal situation as it created a bad odour on the train. They were therefore requesting the Council to provide a bin for dog mess in Llanbedr Station. LHE to contact the relevant department in Cyngor Gwynedd.

Question: Also, press to have the old name TALWRN BACH in writing on the sign (i.e., below the word Llanbedr).

Answer: Accept the suggestion – will seek more information regarding the possibility of adding the name to the sign.

A request was made to ensure consistency in responses, and that any matters of significance should be communicated directly to the Community Council Clerk and the Local Members – Cllr Gwynfor Owen and Cllr Anwen Hughes.

Mr Roger Goodhew (Shrewsbury – Aberystwyth Rail Passengers' Association)

Question: When will the Machynlleth depot have enough units to enable the 06:45 Barmouth to Machynlleth to operate a) without cancelling regularly, b) as a through route to Birmingham International Airport?

Answer: Improvements had been carried out recently and although there were no spare trains available, every effort was being made to ensure that there were enough carriages available to respond to the need.

In response, although accepting that the service had improved recently, we must insist  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.