Direct trains linking west Wales with Bristol have been approved by the rail regulator.<\/p>\n
Transport for Wales is planning to introduce a two-hourly service from the December timetable change, pending crew training.<\/p>\n
The Office of Rail and Road has granted temporary permission until December 2027 for the service.<\/p>\n
A TfW spokesperson said: “We welcome the ORR’s decision to grant access rights for 12 months to enable TfW to launch a new two-hourly service to\/from Bristol Temple Meads. We are confident these new services will bring significant benefits including additional capacity on this busy route and new direct journey opportunities between communities in West Wales and Bristol.”<\/p>\n
The proposals include nine trains in each direction on weekdays and Saturdays, with most running through from west Wales to Bristol Temple Meads.<\/p>\n
Five services each way are planned on Sundays, initially running only between Cardiff and Bristol.<\/p>\n
Typical stops would include Carmarthen, Pembrey and Burry Port, Llanelli, Gowerton, Swansea, Neath, Port Talbot Parkway and Bridgend.<\/p>\n
Most services would start or finish at Fishguard Harbour or Milford Haven, calling at all stations on those sections.<\/p>\n
Between Cardiff Central and Bristol Temple Meads, the proposed stops are Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction, Filton Abbey Wood and Stapleton Road.<\/p>\n
One train each way on weekdays and Saturdays would also call at Bristol Parkway.<\/p>\n
The through services would allow passengers from communities west of Cardiff to reach Bristol Temple Meads without changing trains.<\/p>\n
TfW identified 13 December 2026 as the intended start date, but said the launch date and final timetable would be confirmed once crew training had been completed.<\/p>\n
The spokesperson added: “A start date and timetable for the new services will be announced in the coming weeks, subject to the completion of the necessary crew training.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Two-hourly service planned from December timetable change<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":48720,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,47996],"coauthors":[160],"class_list":["post-48718","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news","category-transport","tag-bristol-and-bath","tag-featured-story"],"yoast_head":"\n