FEARS a Sunday Conwy Valley train service could be axed have angered an Assembly Member.
According to North Wales Assembly Member Aled Roberts, a new timetable, which will come into effect in May, fails to include the three train services between Llandudno Junction and Blaenau Ffestiniog on a Sunday, as well as the replacement bus service during the winter months.
Mr Aled Roberts, confirmed he has asked the Minister for Local Government and Communities, Carl Sargeant AM, to explain why the Sunday service has been cut.
He said: “This could be a serious blow to the local tourist industry which has benefited from the publicity given to Conwy Line in recent years.
“It is vital that we give our tourist industry all the support it needs and I am not convinced that cutting the summer Sunday service on the Conwy Valley Railway will help. If the service is not being cut then the omission on the timetable needs to be corrected immediately.”
Llandudno Junction councillor Mike Priestley said the the loss of the service could effect tourism
He added: “We should be encouraging more people to use our local railways and take cars off the road."
But Arriva Trains Wales today confirmed there have never been any plans to withdraw the summer Sunday services on the Conwy Valley railway.
Arriva Trains Wales sent out important consultation information to its stakeholders confirming the key changes to the timetable due to come into force in the May timetable change. This included information on services on the Conwy Valley.
An Arriva Trains Wales spokesman said: "Arriva Trains Wales is proud to work closely with key attractions, such as the Blaenau Ffestiniog Railway, in order to support the development of the Welsh tourist industry."