FEARS have been voiced about the future of an Arriva Trains Wales depot and 30 jobs in Machynlleth after the company withdrew from the tender process for the new Wales and Borders Service.

With Arriva Trains Wales announcing it will no longer continue its bid to win the franchise from 2018, Machynlleth councillor Michael Williams has questioned if that will affect the future of the depot, which employs 33 people.

He said he expected that whichever company wins the new franchise it would want to keep the depot in place, but warned Machynlleth town councillors they needed to “keep an eye” on the situation.

Arriva Trains Wales confirmed it had withdrawn from the bidding process on Monday, 30 October leaving Abellio, KeolisAmey and MTR as the three remaining bidders.

Cllr Williams said: “It’s of huge importance to Machynlleth, whoever becomes the successful bidder to run the franchise, that they take over the depot from Arriva.

“It was agreed that the town council will write to gain assurances about the depot and will write to the Welsh Government.

“I will also be raising it at the three rail committees I represent the county council on, and the two committees I represent the town council on.

“The depot is essential for Machynlleth as it provides good-quality engineering jobs for the area.

“Clearly it also provides good opportunities for youngsters to train as apprentices also.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said it could not yet comment on the future of the Machynlleth depot as the three bidders would put forward their own plans for maintenance facilities.

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