Here’s some highlights of all we’ve achieved in recent months.

Join us!

1. Front Page in the COUNTY TIMES on May 1st “Campaigners Outraged as Station
Overlooked” an excellent article by Anwen Parry, it can still be read online at
www.countytimes.co.uk/news/26063707.carno-station-campaign-anger-welsh-
government-snub/
The main points in the article are that the Welsh Government selected Carno as one of
only four stations for which it sought New Stations Funding in 2020, but now left it out
completely from its 2026 wish-list for 20 new stations. She also says, “Investment in Mid
Wales, apart from the Newtown bypass, is far behind the north and south. Mid Wales is
massively underfunded.”
She also quoted from a member of Carno Station Action Group, that access to healthcare
is a powerful argument, the main hospitals being in Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury, both at
the end of the Cambrian Line. A station would allow people to get to appointments
independently, without needing a car or relying on lifts.
2. The new Protest Vinyl Banners – AILAGORWCH GORSAF CARNO and REOPEN
CARNO STATION are now ready to be displayed at both ends of the village.
3. Seismic change at the Senedd Election – Plaid Cymru 35.4% Reform UK 29.3%
Welsh Labour 11.1% So we will now contact our new local member and also the new
Minister in charge of Transport. We want them to make our campaign a priority, so we will
tell them of the need to improve access to employment, education facilities and hospitals.
4. Our local MP Steve Witherden, as seen on the Facebook page Reopen CARNO
station, has proposed an amendment to the Railway Bill before Parliament. He is asking
for a dedicated department responsible for the restoration of Services and Stations,
specifically mentioning Carno.

5. Adding Carno Station to the Local Development Plan.
We have written to Gwilym Davies, Head of Planning & Regulatory Services at
Powys County Council, also other relevant members.
The next meeting of the Carno Station Action Group is on
Wednesday 27th May 7:00pm at the Community Centre.
Everybody is welcome.

In the run up to the May 2026 Senedd elections Carno Station Action Group have asked for the support of candidates, and expressed our outrage at the lack of support from the Welsh government. Our press release garnered us coverage in the County Times!

You can find the news story here.

In our press release we said:

REOPEN CARNO RAILWAY STATION – SENEDD CANDIDATES BACKING SOUGHT

We are a group campaigning for our local railway station. To get political backing we have asked all the candidates for the Gwynedd Maldwyn constituency that are up for election to the Senedd for their support.

We are a strong local action group. We have made many steps forward but also received serious setbacks.

In 2018-19 the Welsh Government made a list of stations to prioritise for reopening. Carno was one of the FOUR STATIONS selected. The Welsh Government submitted an application to the Westminster Government for funding to re-open all four in the 2020 round of the New Station Fund, but the bid for Carno was unsuccessful.

Following the upcoming Senedd elections, the Welsh Government will be submitting another application to Westminster for rail infrastructure funding – including new stations. However we were extremely disappointed to learn last year that they no longer intend to include Carno station. In fact we were outraged at this sudden and complete reversal of policy.

The reopening of Carno Station would reinvigorate the local economy, by improving access to jobs and further education for our community. We are keen to get a clear commitment from the candidates for the Senedd that they will back the station re-opening if they are elected.

Regular Country Times letter writer, Rattus Rattus, has taken aim at the political establishment with their latest letter to the County Times noting the lack of funding for rail travel in Mid Wales. Read the letter here.

What do you think? Why is Mid Wales always left out when it comes to funding and support for public transport?

Carno Station Action Group has been fortunate to have the support of some key figures, including Steve Witherden, our MP.

On 11th February the Country Times covered our campaign. You can read the article here.

Witherden makes the case for reopening stations, and his proposed amendment to the Great British Railways Bill which would make this easier. The article was supported by a Facebook post and video on Witherden’s page, which outlines his commitment. On 22nd February Steve Witherden expressed, through his Facebook page, disappointment that the latest round of funding for new stations has seen no commitment to mid Wales. Search for Steve Witherden on Facebook to see his posts and support for our campaign.

The more public figures who back our campaign, the more likely we are to be heard. Do you have contacts or access to networks where we can share our message and campaign? Get in touch – we need the help of everyone in Carno and surrounding areas who will benefit from a reopened station!