INDEPENDENT Senedd candidate for Caerfyrddin and Kidwelly Town Mayor, Carl Peters‑Bond, has called on the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales to “finally deliver on their promises” and restart progress on the long‑awaited reopening of St Clears railway station.
The station, which originally closed in 1964, was awarded UK Government funding in 2020 under the New Stations Fund. At the time, local authorities and campaigners welcomed the announcement as a major step forward for Carmarthenshire’s transport connectivity. However, more than five years later, no construction has begun and no clear timetable has been published.
Carl said: “People in Carmarthenshire were told in 2020 that St Clears station was coming back. Five years on, we have vision documents, glossy strategies and endless consultations — but not a single shovel in the ground. It’s simply not good enough.”
“While hundreds of millions are being invested in Cardiff and the Valleys through the Metro, and billions have been spent in England on HS2 — a project still labelled as ‘England and Wales’ infrastructure — communities like ours are left waiting.
“Carmarthenshire deserves its fair share of investment, and St Clears station should be at the front of the queue.”
Carl highlighted that reopening the station would bring significant benefits to the region, including:
- Better access to employment and education
- Reduced congestion on the A40
- Improved public transport links for rural communities
- Stronger support for tourism and local businesses
- A more sustainable transport network for West Wales
Carl continued: “Transport for Wales’ own long‑term plans talk about improving connectivity in West Wales, but plans don’t get people to work, school or hospital — trains do. It’s time for delivery, not more documents.”
As part of his transport and infrastructure commitments, Carl has pledged to:
- Champion the reopening of St Clears station
- Push for a clear, published timetable for delivery
- Hold the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales to account on stalled projects
- Advocate for fairer investment in Carmarthenshire’s transport network
Carl concluded: “Carmarthenshire has waited long enough. If elected, I will make sure St Clears station is not forgotten again. Our communities deserve action — not another decade of promises.”
