A MEETING will be held early in the new year to discuss proposals to reopen the Aberystwyth to Carmarthen railway line, which could involve having to dig a tunnel under Pendinas.

The meeting has been planned aft­er the publication of a “positive” initial scoping report which is a precursor to a full feasibility study.

Among the report’s findings were that more than 97 per cent of the 56 miles of original route remains undeveloped, reopening the line could cost between £505m and £750m and that a full feasibility study could be completed within three months at a cost of £350,000.

In a letter sent to Elin Jones AM along with the report, the Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart AM said: “I have noted the report’s conclusions and have asked my officials to convene a peer group review workshop early in the new year.

“The group will include senior representatives from Traws Link Cymru, the Mid Wales Railways Implementation Group, Carmarthen and Ceredigion Councils, Arriva Trains Wales, Great Western Railways and Network Rail. I expect the group to provide me with consensus advice on next steps.”

The report, seen by the Cambrian News, reads: “Aberystwyth and Carmarthen may only be the 24th and 31st largest localities in Wales by population according to the 2011 Census, but are key regional centres.

“To travel between them by rail requ­ires a six-hour trip via Cardiff and Shrewsbury."

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