Reminder of importance of rail links on COP 26 Transport Day.

Ynys Môn’s representative in the Senedd has reiterated his support for investing in rail as part of our response to the climate emergency and says he’s ‘deeply worried’ about big cuts to direct Holyhead-London rail links. Rhun ap Iorwerth has shared with Avanti West Coast his disappointment that services remain well below pre-covid levels.

Rhun ap Iorwerth said:  “Holyhead is now down to 2 direct services a day. It used to be 7 a day – this is just not acceptable.

“This is a serious concern for me. It not only affects services for my constituents, but it is also a key international link to Ireland.”

Mr ap Iorwerth made his comments as delegates to the COP 26 climate conference in Glasgow focused on transport issues. He added:

“Today is transport day at COP26 – a day to reflect on how we travel and how we can drive the global transition to zero emission transport. Cutting train services is definitely going to take us a good few steps back regarding greener transport. We need to be adding more services not cutting down on them.”

Speaking with an Avanti official recently, the Ynys Môn MS was told that that no timetable changes would now be introduced before May 2022.

Mr ap Iorwerth said: “We need these services reinstated with urgency. Covid mustn’t be used as an excuse for long term service cuts.”

“I will carry on pushing for better connections between Holyhead and London, as well as to Cardiff and across the north of Wales and into the northwest of England, as well as an expansion of the rail network locally.”