Agenda and draft minutes

To elect Chair for 2025/26

It was proposed and seconded to elect Cllr Dewi Owen as Chair. ⁠

RESOLVED to re-elect Cllr Dewi Owen as Chair of this Committee for the year 2025/26

To elect Vice chair for 2025/26

It was proposed and seconded to elect Cllr Gwynfor Owen as Vice-chair.

RESOLVED to re-elect Cllr Gwynfor Owen as Vice-chair of this Committee for the year 2025/26 ⁠

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Cllr Craig ab Iago Cyngor Gwynedd - Cabinet Member for Environment), Cllr Gwynfor Owen (Cyngor Gwynedd), Cllr Elfed Wyn ab Elwyn (Cyngor Gwynedd), Cllr Richard Glyn Roberts (Gwynedd), Cllr Alwyn Evans (Cyngor Sir Powys), Cllr  Trevor Roberts (Shrewsbury / Aberystwyth Railway Committee), Mabon ap Gwynfor (Senedd Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd), Joyce Watson (Senedd Member for Mid and West Wales), Gwyn Rees (Network Rail) and Robert John Jones (Cyngor Gwynedd - Education Transport Manager)

Condolences were expressed to Cllr Anne Lloyd Jones who had recently lost her sister.

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 March 28th 2025 be signed as a true record.

The Chair accepted the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 28th March 2025 as a true record.

To receive an update from representatives.

·         Network Rail

·         Transport for Wales

·         British Transport Police

Transport for Wales (TfW)

James Nicholas was welcomed to the meeting; he worked as a Business Support Partner for Transport for Wales.

It was reported that the performance of the service had been good over the last period with the number of cancelled trains at 0.7% of all services along the Cambrian. He reiterated that this was seen as a solid service and an improvement in the performance of trains on time. He noted that performance is measured by a 3-minute rule from arrival at the station and expressed that the percentage of 75% above the Welsh target of 72% is acceptable given the number of trains running.

In the context of the Cambrian Railway's Winter timetable, it was expressed that Transport for Wales had decided to continue the service of the last train and that this was encouraging news. He highlighted that Transport for Wales will keep an eye on user numbers and encouraged everyone to promote usage.

It was expressed that safety tests on the fleet of the new Class 197 trains had been implemented and it was hoped that the new trains would come into service in September 2026, following the completion of platform improvements at some stations. He added that further test journeys would be conducted in January 2026 and training for drivers and conductors in the new year.

An update was given that Network Rail had procured a new Maintenance Delivery Unit to replace several unsuitable facilities at the Machynlleth depot.  The site will be a modern, safe and efficient workplace that will be able to fully support services across the region.

It was pointed out that defence works will be completed during May 2026 which is likely to cause some disruption to services: The dates in mind were 13-17 May between Machynlleth and Pwllheli and 17 – 23 May between Dyfi Junction and Aberystwyth. It was reiterated that preparatory work was being carried out for the installation of toilet waste disposal (CET) tanks from the new trains.

James was thanked for the update.

Comments and matters arising from the ensuing discussion:

·        It was welcomed that the last train service would be retained – this was a major boost to the local economy. Everyone was thanked for the positive campaign.

·        There was concern about the publicity of the Cambrian Railway – there was a need to operate regular marketing campaigns to encourage use. That clear messages need to be shared that the evening service would continue.

·        A request was made for a special meeting to be arranged to discuss the implications of the Talerddig accident on 21 October 2024. Although an interim report had been published in April 2025, a final report was expected to confirm the conclusions and recommendations.

·        Concern that a vulnerable section of the railway near the Dyfi Junction was vulnerable to flooding which could be prevented if Natural Resources Wales took action. Was this a long-term plan to sacrifice the railway? More information was required.

·        The lack of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive responses to questions received since the previous meeting.

Questions were received from Cricieth Community Council, Pwllheli Town Council and Porthmadog Town Council.

The Transport for Wales Officer stated that he would be responding directly to the Local Councils, but the following issues were broadly addressed:

·        Location of a Historic Tram at Pwllheli Station – construction work had been carried out on the previous site and at present no suitable site had been identified.

·        Painting Cricieth Station - painting the station was the responsibility of the building owners. They should be contacted first to see what is possible.

·        Welsh-language announcements between Porthmadog and Shrewsbury - that there are bilingual announcements on the trains, although there may be a technical problem on the day in question. Certainly, it was agreed that consistency was needed.

Other questions raised at the meeting:

Dyfi Junction:

·        The noticeboard is not visible/conspicuous from one platform to the next

·        That the shelter and the width of the platform need to be looked at

·        That the Derwen las road down to the station was in poor condition

Next meeting to be held March 2026.

Questionnaire about time/date to be circulated to Members/Officers.