Agenda item

To receive responses to questions received since the previous meeting:

·         Llangylennin Community Council

·         Llanbedr Community Council

·         Criccieth Town Council

·         R Goodhew (Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Rail Passengers Association)

 

 

 

Llangelynnin Community Council

 

Llangelynnin Community Council would like to ask the question to both Network Rail and any other relevant party as to when work may commence on Friog Hill A493 relating to the boundary wall/crash barrier as this had been scheduled to commence in Quarter 1 of 2023 which we are nearly at the end of. Traffic control has been in place now for some considerable time without any works having been undertaken.

 

Councillor Louise Hughes (Local Member) added that the situation had been a matter of concern for the area for nearly 10 years and although discussions and assessments had been completed, the work had not commenced.

 

Reply: NR was still committed to undertake the repair work to the wall on Allt Friog. However, some developments over the last few weeks had changed elements of the work they intended to undertake.  It was evident, when looking at old documents, that a letter dating back to 1976 stated that NR continued to maintain the boundary wall, however, the crash barrier on the A493 was owned by Cyngor Gwynedd and therefore the Council was responsible for its maintenance.  It was added that the NR Property Team had contacted Steffan Jones, Head of Cyngor Gwynedd Highways to try and discuss the matter.  Although this will not affect NR's plans to repair the wall, it will change the scope of the work and therefore they would only undertake maintenance work on the assets within their ownership. 

 

In terms of the process, it was noted that NR was completing the designs and reviewing the costs. Once sufficient funding had been secured to undertake the project a time schedule would have to be set to complete the work. It was suggested that a Teams or Zoom call should be held with representatives of the Fairbourne area – Llangelynnin Community Council, Arthog Community Council and Members of the appropriate wards to discuss the matter in greater detail with the NR Assets Team.

 

Councillor Dafydd Meurig (Cabinet Member for the Environment) noted that he would contact the Head of Highways, Engineering and YGC for an update from the Council's side.

 

Cllr Louise Hughes noted that she would welcome an invitation to a Teams / Zoom meeting to further discuss the matter and of her wish to be included in any further correspondence.  She was also eager to invite the Cabinet Member for the Environment and the Cabinet Member for Highways, Engineering and YGC to a site visit.

 

 

Llanbedr Community Council

 

Question: We would like to know if, and when Llanbedr Train Station will be renovated.  We are grateful that the station has been recently painted. 

 

Transport for Wales reply (TfW): There was no update in relation to improving the facilities at Llanbedr station.  All the stations had been included in an Integrated Plan and it was proposed to visit to complete the re-branding work, signage, and improvements to station assets i.e., seats, shelters etc.  However, no funding had currently been allocated to proceed with this.

 

In response, the Local Member noted, as the Welsh Government had refused a bypass for Llanbedr, there was a need to upgrade and improve facilities at Llanbedr station.

 

Question: We as a Council have also applied for a dog mess bin near the station – from Gwynedd Council.  If we were successful with this, will there be a chance to get a litter bin on the station?

 

TfW reply: That the Station Manager, Mr Dave Crunkhorn had responded to the request. The situation would need to be reviewed when the dog faeces bin is in place.

 

The Cabinet Member added that he would draw the matter to the attention of the Head of the Highways Department noting that TfW were willing to reinstall the litter bin should the Council install a specific dog faeces bin nearby.

 

Question: Several Councillors who had adopted the Station in Llanbedr were keen to get answers back to the comments they send every two weeks. Is this likely to happen?

 

TfW reply: Question to the Community Railways Team – the Station Manager deals with the requests of the adopters.

 

Question: The old Station was known as Halt Talwrn Bach in the past. What is the possibility of getting the old name back?

 

TfW reply: Having questioned all the relevant officers from Transport for Wales it appeared that the answer was no. It was noted that changing the name of a station was much too complicated, and it was not a matter that Transport for Wales would approve. 

 

Question: It appears that the wooden handrail has rotted.

 

Reply: Regarding this, Transport for Wales railway services had been spoken to. They visited the site on 29 March 2023 – the handrail had now been repaired.

 

NR Question: A complaint has also been received that the train timetable sign is too high for all to read.

 

Reply:  Some clarity was required regarding which signs they were referring to?  If these were the signs near the road, then not much could be done about these as they were established.  However, it was noted that the information was reiterated in the station that was about 20 feet away.

 

Cricieth Town Council:

 

Question: Why is it necessary to pay an administration fee of £10 per ticket to get a refund even when there are trains cancelled by the service e.g., because of the weather?

 

TfW reply: TfW does not charge an administration fee or any fee on passengers that have claimed compensation for a cancelled or delayed train; in addition, TfW did not charge a fee when customers claim compensation. 

                                         

Trainline (not TfW) charge a booking fee of £10.00 and not a claim fee as they do not offer compensation for journeys – they are only sellers.  

 

TfW charge an administration fee if someone has a paper ticket and request a refund – this is not applicable if the ticket has been purchased on-line.

 

TfW does charge an administration fee if passengers want to change the details on their ticket e.g., advance ticket.

 

There is no administration fee or any fee to passengers that have claimed compensation for a cancelled or delayed train.

 

It is important to note that a refund and compensation are not the same.

 

Question: There is no fence between Cambrian Terrace and the railway – just a bit of wire.

 

NR Reply:  Have been in contact with the Cricieth Railway Crossing Manager who has been to the site. It was noted that the existing fence, a post and wire fence, is fairly common around railway boundaries, however, the team has visited the site on 31 March 23 to discuss what may be possible.  An update of the situation can be given following the site visit.

 

Question: The spiked iron fence near the level crossing is broken and seen as danger.

 

NR Reply: Have spoken with the Crossing Manager who has been to the site.  The rotted white fence will be replaced with a new fence to ensure that the site is safe.

 

Question: There is litter between the rails near the station and makes the station look ugly.

 

NR Reply: Not sure where the litter is but if it was on the tracks, there will be a need to wait for a 'block line' and therefore the work had been recorded by the Maintenance Coordinator in the area.  TfW had also been contacted who have a third party who attend regularly – need to check when their next visit is. It was added that it was very difficult to keep litter under control as it had often been blown there.

 

Shrewsbury – Aberystwyth Rail Passenger Association

 

Question: Is it possible for the committee to meet at its usual venue in Porthmadog on a date when train services are expected to be running normally in Wales and the Borders? 

Reply: At a meeting of the Full Council on 2 December 2021 the Council decided on the principle to continue to hold formal committee meetings virtually wherever possible and hold hybrid meetings when there is a high level of interest from the public.  The report states that only the meetings of the Full Council, the Cabinet, scrutiny committees and the Planning committee will be multi-location meetings (hybrid).  All other committees will be completely virtual with exceptions such as e.g., Employment Appeals Committee (dependent on the individual's request), the Chief Officers Appointment Committee – consideration when interviews are held – virtual otherwise.  Committees and Sub-committees where quasi-judicial hearings take place.

 

The report has been adopted as a result of the requirements of Part 3 Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 that notes the need to allow remote access to Councillors to committees.  In other words, holding only formal face-to-face meetings is not possible.

 

Gratitude was expressed for the questions.

 

Network Rail and Transport for Wales were thanked for their support and for responding to the matters raised at the Committee. They were encouraged to ensure that there was clear communication with the public regarding any events / updates.

 

Rhian Williams (Integrated Transport and Road Safety Manager, Cyngor Gwynedd) asked Transport for Wales to contact schools directly if the railway closes for any reason e.g., flooding.