North Wales MS welcomes warm response to calls to re-establish train station for Towyn and Kinmel Bay

A North Wales MS has welcomed a warm response from the Welsh Government to calls to re-establish a train station for Towyn and Kinmel Bay.

Speaking at a meeting of the Senedd on Tuesday, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar put the case forward for a station to serve the area, having previously emphasised the need back in 2013.

Raising the matter with First Minister Mark Drakeford, the Conservative MS said: “I want to see more investment from both the UK and Welsh Governments in north Wales in the rail infrastructure.

“One of the things I would very much like to see in my own constituency is a new railway stop train station in the Towyn and Kinmel Bay area.

“You’ll be aware of the popularity of the Towyn and Kinmel Bay area as a resort.

“It has 50,000 holiday caravan bed spaces yet many of visitors have to jump off the train in Rhyl or in Abergele in order to then jump into a car to get to their destination.

“If we’re to make this modal shift in our transport, if we’re to get carbon emissions in transport down and provide real choice for people to get to their destinations, then a new station would make a big difference in that community.

“There used to be one; it was closed many years ago. It’s time to re-establish it and re-invigorate rail transport in my constituency.”

In response, Mr Drakeford said: “The Welsh Government does have an opportunity to bid to a UK fund to re-establish stations where they were closed.

“The Welsh Government would be very happy to work with him and other local interests to make the case for a station in the Towyn and Kinmel Bay area, and then we will have to put that to the UK Government and hope for the best.”

Mr Millar added: “I was very pleased by the First Minister’s positive response and look forward to pursuing this ambition with the Welsh Government and other interested parties.”