TRAIN operator Arriva says it has no plans to introduce Welsh signage at English border stations for the time being.

Its denial came despite speculation in newspapers and the backing of Herefordshire Council's Mike Wilson.

Welsh language campaigners have been urging the new company running Wales' trains to use dual signage at all its stations.

But Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) says it has no intention, at present, to recreate ancient place names like Henffordd and Llanllieni - for Hereford and Leominster.

ATW, which took over the franchise in December, has started preparing a Welsh language scheme with the Welsh Language Board.

All the stations on the Marches line were included in the ATW's franchise because there was no railway in Wales that linked the lines in North, Mid and South Wales.

Eleri Carrog, of the Welsh rights campaign Cefn, said: "It would be very imaginative if Arriva were to reflect history with bilingual signs, as most of these places have been part of Wales and Welsh people still use Welsh names for them."

Herefordshire Council's Mike Wilson, cabinet member for highways and transport, also welcomed the suggestion, saying: "I see it as a step forward which would help Welsh-speaking visitors who come to England."

Geraint Morgan, press officer for Arriva Trains, said: "As the national train operator of Wales, it is our policy to positively encourage the use of the Welsh language.

"We recently completed the installation of a £2.5 million customer information system at 46 stations in Wales, which includes both bi-lingual audio announcements and visual displays."