Concerns about alterations to a new train timetable meaning that passengers from Tenby and Pembroke Dock will arrive into Swansea station a few minutes after carriages travelling to London will have departed have been raised with the Welsh Government’s minister for transport.

As part of the new train timetable that commences on December 16, First Great Western have altered the departure time of their trains from Swansea to 22 minutes past the hour, meaning that as Transport for Wales have not changed their train times, services from Tenby and Pembroke Dock will arrive into Swansea a few minutes after the London train has departed.

First Great Western have amended their train times to take advantage of the completion of the electrification from Paddington to Cardiff to provide faster journey times between London and South Wales

Correspondence to local County Councillor Michael Williams, who represents the Tenby North ward, from a local resident has flagged up the issue, explaining that the timetable alteration will result in a wait at Swansea of between 40 minutes and 1 hour for the next available train, and considerably longer journey times.

A similar situation also arises with trains from Milford Haven and Haverfordwest where passengers will have an additional 30 minutes wait at Cardiff it has also been pointed out.

After being contacted by Clr. Williams, Plaid Cymru’s AM?for Mid and West Wales, Helen Mary Jones has now written to the Minister for Economy and Transport, Ken Skates, and to Great Western Rail, raising the matter.

“I am sure that you would agree with me that increasing journey times is not an effective way of making public transport a viable and appealing alternative to car travel in Wales,” she stated in her correspondence to Mr. Skates.

“Maintaining timely connections is essential if we are to ensure an effective rail system in this country.

“I would be grateful if you could take these valid concerns into consideration and call on Transport for Wales to make changes to their timetable which would match those of First Great Western.

“I would be grateful also if you could explain what discussions, if any, have taken place to ensure that passengers using both these services as part of their journey will not face connectivity issues following commencement of the new timetable in December,” she added.