THE Heart of Wales Line is set to launch a new timetable with extra journey opportunities for passengers travelling Monday to Friday.

This is the first significant improvement for many years and is said to represent a turning point for this popular rural rail route.

From May 17 the Heart of Wales Line, which runs between Shrewsbury and Swansea via Llandrindod Wells, will see a new community service from Llandovery, departing 06.42 and arriving in Swansea at 08.08.

The changes will also see a commuting service to Shrewsbury, arriving 07.57, from Llandrindod, departing 06.18.

Also there will be more useful timings for ‘Days Out’ along the line into Central Wales.

An ongoing programme of improvements along the line will see raised platforms at a number of stations to make access easier.

The timetable improvements have been made possible by making better use of rolling stock, combined with the recruitment of extra staff. They are being funded by Welsh Government and will run for three years.

Train times on Saturdays and Sundays will remain the same as at present.

Service improvements to this vital rural transport link have been welcomed by groups along the route, and by the tourism sector.

Acting Forum Chairman, Councillor Paul Lloyd from Swansea city council said, “I am delighted that after so many years campaigning effort there will now be more opportunities for the line to play a more significant part in serving South West Wales, Mid Wales and the Border counties”

Further information about the line and the timetable can be found at

www.heart-of-wales.co.uk