Survey on need for improved Aberystwyth-Shropshire rail service

Passengers will be asked for their views on the need for improved train services between mid Wales and Shropshire.

The survey and consultation, commissioned by the Welsh government, will be held from 7-20 October.

The aim is to find out how much an enhanced service from Shropshire to Aberystwyth would be used.

Councils and rail user groups along the line are holding a meeting on Thursday to discuss the details of the survey.

The survey will be carried out by the Shrewsbury-Aberystwyth Railway Liaison Committee.

Liaison committee secretary Robert Robinson said it was just as important to find out why people would not use such a service as how often others would use it.

The discussions stem from Transport Minister Edwina Hart's rail priorities statement earlier in the summer.

She said: "I am considering whether there are more cost effective opportunities to work with local community groups to deliver new and additional services.

"I have asked the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Railway Liaison Committee to co-ordinate work with the other rail interest groups to investigate the demand for rail services."