RADICAL improvements to local railways in Herefordshire have been discussed in Westminster.

MPs, local businesses, councils, the Welsh Government, Midlands Connect and Network Rail were among those who met together in Westminster this week as part of a campaign to improve road and rail links in Herefordshire and the surrounding area.

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In February, Midlands Connect released a report proposing a series of upgrades to the road and rail links in Herefordshire looking at increasing the speed and frequency on rail lines and upgrading the A49.

One of the potential plans put forward is to cut journey times from Hereford to Cardiff to under an hour in an effort to encourage people to take travel via train rather than car.

The report also suggested constructing additional stations between Hereford and Abergavenny to give direct rail access to those living in rural communities along the Herefordshire border.

Another idea that has been presented is the cross-border integration of the bus network, enabling residents in Herefordshire to access the railway at Abergavenny.

Maria Machancoses, CEO for Midlands Connect said: “The meeting today is to get everyone ‘all aboard’ on the plans for rail and road upgrades in the Marches. We are bringing together politicians and the Welsh government to discuss and debate the proposals and try and find a way forward.

“Bringing the plans to Westminster should, I hope, put us on the right track for the next stage of work.”

A Welsh government spokesperson told the BBC: "Decisions on new rail infrastructure funding, such as those identified by Midlands Connect, are a matter for the UK Government.

"We continue to call them to provide fair share of funding for rail infrastructure in Wales and the borders."

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