A public meeting will be held this week to discuss proposed cuts to the Heart of Wales Line.

The meeting, which will be hosted by the Powys Liberal Democrats, will take place at the community centre in Knighton on Thursday, November 7 from 7:30pm until 8:30pm and will be an open invite.

Members of the panel will include local Welsh Liberal Democrat politicians David Chadwick MP and Jane Dodds MS, as well as Cllr Corinna Kenyon-Wade.

The panel will discuss proposed plans from Transport for Wales (TfW) to cut rail services across Mid Wales, while also fielding questions from concerned residents.

As part of the TfW Future Timetable Review, there are plans to reduce the number of services running through Llandrindod Wells from five to four per day, with the removal of two late evening services to Llandovery and Llandrindod also proposed from December 2024. 

TfW says it has had to make some “tough decisions” to ensure it provides capacity where most needed, grows revenue and ultimately reduces public subsidy. 

Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds said that it was “vital that we ensure that the voices of the people are being heard.”

“These proposed plans will have direct consequences on countless communities throughout Mid Wales, which is why having this meeting in Knighton is of the upmost importance,” said Ms Dodds.

“The Welsh Government cannot continue to ignore the concerns of residents, they must take note and listen.”

MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick said: “Welsh Labour Ministers cannot continue to ignore the concerns of our rural communities.

“If these proposed cuts to the Heart of Wales Line were to go ahead, then there would be a catastrophic effect on our already struggling rural high street.

“It also isn’t fair to place even more hurdles on residents who are already faced with a severely underfunded transportation system.

“The Welsh Government must remove the wool from their eyes and start paying attention to the issues facing Mid Wales.”