£300k for Aberystwyth-Carmarthen railway line study Published duration 19 October 2016

image copyright Traws Link Cymru image caption Campaign group Traws Link Cymru flew the length of the line taking aerial shots

A feasibility study into reopening a railway line between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen has been allocated £300,000 in the Welsh Government's budget.

The original line stopped at more than 20 stations, but was closed in 1965.

Campaigners hope to re-establish a 90-minute service between Aberystwyth, Lampeter and Carmarthen and while many stretches could be reused, some new routes would be needed.

The cost has been estimated at about £500m.

A train journey without the proposed route takes about six hours, via Shropshire, Newport and Cardiff - and only about 90 minutes by car.

image copyright Alamy

A spokesman for campaign group Traws Link Cymru said: "This is the breakthrough we've been waiting for.

"Reopening the railway would bring social, cultural, and environmental benefits, and would provide an economic stimulus to west Wales.