Written question WQ85769
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 10 days
Question
Will the Minister commission an assessment of the possibility of providing a public transport rail link between Blaenau Ffestiniog and and Porthmadog?
Answer
Answered by Deputy Minister for Climate Change
Rail infrastructure in Wales is reserved and the responsibility of the UK Government. However, Transport for Wales (TfW) are looking at ways in which rail infrastructure could be improved in North West Wales, including between Porthmadog and Bangor in order to improve services.
There is already a very popular and well used tourist rail line between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog operated by the Ffestiniog Railway Company. TfW engage regularly with them to best ensure that their services on the Conwy Valley line link with the Ffestiniog Railway tourist services. Through tickets to use Ffestiniog Railway services are available from any National Rail station, with connections to TfW services at Blaenau Ffestiniog and at Minffordd on the Cambrian line. Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog are also well connected via a frequent local bus service which completes the journey in a quicker time than the tourist rail service.
The Conwy Valley line will be the first route in Wales that the brand new CAF 197 trains will operate on later this year, bringing significant improvements for passengers.