A TRAIN company has been slammed after services were cancelled from Pwllheli to Machynlleth for two days due to staff shortages.

The 11.37am service to Machynlleth from Pwllheli on Wednesday, 10 August and two morning services from Machynlleth to Pwllheli and back on Thursday, 11 August were cancelled due to a driver shortage and a rail replacement service was was put in place.

Community leaders have now criticised the train company and accused them of ‘bad management’.

Pwllheli town councillor, Cllr Jonathan Roberts, said: “The train service coming to Pwllheli provides a huge boost to the town’s economy, bringing a lot of tourists up from directions of Harlech and Barmouth especially on a Wednesday to visit the large market, and use the other shops and restaurants in the town.

“It also provides transport for local workers coming in and out of Pwllheli, so it is extremely disappointing to hear that the morning services were cancelled and replaced by buses."

An Arriva Trains spokesperson said: “We apologise for the inconvenience caused to our customers by the cancellation of this service – this has been due to various factors that have led to a driver shortage.

See the full story in this Thursday’s Meirionnydd and Arfon/Dwyfor editions of the Cambrian News