Study after railway station plea

Carno is on a line where there is no station for more than 20 miles

Villagers campaigning to reopen their railway station have voiced dismay that their plans have been stalled.

But the Welsh Assembly Government says it has asked for work on a feasibility study for a new station.

Members of the Carno Station Action Group have travelled from Powys to the Welsh assembly to mark the second anniversary of their petition.

Senior assembly government officials were meeting group members "to discuss and clarify the current position".

A 62-page document had been prepared by the group at the recommendation of the assembly government's head of rail.

The enterprise and learning committee had concluded last year that it would be difficult to justify a new station based on the estimated number of passengers.

Since then, the group said there had no progress and they called on Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, who is also transport minister, to "break the logjam".

Tony Burton, chairman of the group said before visiting the Senedd in Cardiff Bay: "The petition system itself is a fine innovation by the National Assembly, but it means little if there is no follow-through from the various branches of government involved."

Mr Burton said the enterprise and learning committee had "concluded that a formal business case should be developed" for the scheme.

Mick Bates, the Montgomeryshire AM who was meeting the group, said beforehand: "The Carno Station Action Group has worked tirelessly in their campaign to secure the re-opening of Carno station in Machynlleth, which could offer immense benefits in terms of sustainability, carbon reduction and access to public transport in rural areas.

"I am disappointed that despite their determination and dedication the action group is yet to receive support from the Welsh government."

The group claim the new station - which was closed in the 1960s - would be a "major benefit for a large, relatively remote village, which has seen and will continue to see significant population growth".

Members also argue that it would be good for jobs, the environment, "green tourism" and reduce congestion on the roads.

The assembly government said it was "currently engaged in a £13m programme of improvements to the Cambrian Line which is designed to improve performance and allow for the the possible introduction of an hourly service but which is not focused on new stations".

It has also asked TraCC, the regional transport consortium for mid Wales, "to engage with the action group and to work on a feasibility study for a new station. We look forward to receiving the study as soon as it is completed."