Teens' train petition taken to assembly

A teens’ train petition which attracted more than 1,000 signatures in six weeks has been handed into the Welsh Assembly by Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies.

Sam Faulkner and Joanne Griffiths, both from Moylegrove, launched the petition calling for a more trains between Fishguard and Carmarthen.

The fifteen-year-olds collected 1,317 signatures via a website and paper petitions put up in shops and cafes in and around Fishguard.

“Given more time we could easily have come up with double the amount of signatures,” said Sam who goes to Ysgol Y Preseli.

At present there are only two trains a day to and from Fishguard and they are timed to meet the Irish ferry – so one of them leaves at 1.30am.

“We started the petition because we want to make rural North Pembrokeshire better connected,” added Joanne who attends Cardigan Secondary School.

“This would also open up North Pembrokeshire, a region that relies heavily on tourism, to holidaymakers and day trippers.”

Mr Davies handed the petition to the Welsh Assembly’s petitions committee last week.

“I can’t praise these energetic youngsters enough for their enthusiasm and commitment,” he said.

“Instead of just complaining about things they have gone ahead and done something proactive.

“I wholeheartedly agree with the petition’s aims and lobbied unsuccessfully last year for an extra five trains a day on the route - I hope the petitions committee will listen to their request.”

Sam added: “We hope the Welsh Assembly will give this serious and careful consideration as this service is something that is definitely needed in this area.

“We believe that due to global warming and climate change everyone in the near future will have to consider more seriously the use of public transport in order to reduce our carbon footprints.”

Photograph : Ysgol Y Preseli pupils Sam Faulkner and Joanne Griffiths are pictured with Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies and their 1,317 signature petition calling for more trains to Fishguard.