Traws Link Cymru, set up in 2013, wants to reinstate the route axed in the 1960s Beeching Cuts. They say poor roads and patchy rail links are choking Mid and West Wales, leaving communities cut off and opportunities wasted.
“Realising the potential of this region requires vision, planning and inward investment. But the poor communications network remains a major drawback,” the group said.
‘Kick‑start regeneration’
The campaign argues new tracks would kick‑start economic and social regeneration, opening up tourism, agriculture and small industries. They point to three university campuses, the National Library of Wales, the Royal Commission for Ancient and Historic Monuments, and S4C’s headquarters — all hampered by poor transport.
Supporters say journeys of less than 50 miles can take hours, underlining the lack of direct north‑south connectivity.
Political row over the line
The future of the route has become a political flashpoint. Plaid Senedd member, Adam Price has accused ministers of failing to act and warned the project is at risk unless the Welsh Government formally protects the corridor from development.
“It is not acceptable for the Welsh Government to essentially wash their hands of this commitment. They are dragging their feet and putting this whole project at risk.”
A feasibility study in 2018 put the cost of reopening at £775 million, but campaigners argue little progress has been made since. More recent estimates suggest the bill could rise to around £2 billion. Critics say it’s a huge price tag with no guarantee of political backing. Campaigners counter that the benefits — jobs, investment and national cohesion — would outweigh the costs.
Transport Secretary Ken Skates has pushed back, warning that land protections could harm communities.
“Putting land protections in place for the reopening of sections of railway lines can risk creating blight to landowners, it can have a potential economic cost to communities, and there would also be the obvious ongoing resourcing cost to maintain the protections.”
He added that reopening remains a longer‑term option, subject to full value‑for‑money tests.
An Aberystwyth to Carmarthen steam service arrives at Tregaron station, c.1950s. The rural halt, now long disused, once connected communities across Mid Wales before the line was closed under the Beeching Cuts.
(Image: Traws Cymru)Local voices demand action
Community campaigner and independent Senedd candidate for Caerfyrddin, Carl Peters‑Bond, says the time for delay is over.
“This rail link should have been rebuilt decades ago. Communities across West Wales have been left waiting while investment pours into Cardiff and the Valleys.”
He said stations at Llandysul, Llanybydder and Lampeter must be part of the plan to serve towns that have been overlooked.
“People are tired of political point‑scoring. What we need now is real investment in infrastructure that connects our communities, supports local businesses, and gives young people a reason to stay in West Wales.”
Carl added that the project is about fairness as much as transport.
“If we want a stronger, fairer Wales, we need to stop talking and start building. West Wales deserves the same opportunities as the rest of the country — and that starts with laying tracks.”
Traws Link Cymru say their crowdfunding page is live at JustGiving, with donations going towards campaign costs including meetings, advertising and lobbying.