Passengers (From Barry And District News)

Passengers

I CONGRATULATE Arriva trains and the Vale Council on the opening of passenger services on the Vale of Glamorgan line and wish them success in their venture.

However, to survive and provide a worthwhile transport service, the line will need to attract as many passengers as possible.

A number of significant communities, for example Gileston, St Athan, Llandow and East Aberthaw - quite close to the line - have been overlooked and the people of those communities will still have to use cars, buses and taxis to get to Bridgend and Cardiff.

How frustrating must it be for them to see these trains cruising by every hour?

Provision of stations at these locations would help to maximise the passenger revenue on the line, while helping to preserve these charming rural villages with their ancient pubs, churches etc by lessening the tend towards rural depopulation (and, incidentally, helping to keep drink-drivers off the road.)

Now that the line is actually open, the next step for residents of the Vale is to campaign for new stations to be built between the existing ones.

I urge the council, the Assembly and the government to give it serious consideration.

Christopher Ware

Trinity Street

Barry