Internal Review: Lack of Connectivity in Aberystwyth T2 from Dolgellau to T1C for Cardiff for passengers North of Aberystwyth (790340)

Subject: Re: Internal Review: Lack of Connectivity in Aberystwyth T2 from Dolgellau to T1C for Cardiff for passengers North of Aberystwyth

(790340)

Date: 2018-07-15 10:56

From: L MCTIGHE <john.mct@>

To: alun.williams@, ray.quant@, ellen.apgwynn@

Copy: ivor.williams@

Reply-To: john.mct@

Could you please tell me when you intend to complete the Internal review which was requested 6 weeks ago.   The Trawscymru T1C Aberystwyth to Cardiff coach service (managed by Ceredigion Council) should have connectivity with the T2 arriving in Aberystwyth from Dolgellau and should have better connectivity with the T1S to Swansea in Carmarthen.

It is in everyone’ s interests that this is sorted out

 

> —-Original message—-

> From : john.mct@

> Date : 01/06/2018 – 21:21 (GMTST)

> To : alun.williams@, ellen.apgwynn@, ray.quant@

Cc : gareth.davies@, hag.harris@, odwyn.davies@, steve.davies2@, rowland.rees-evans@, mark.strong@, marc.davies@, keith.evans@, maldwyn.lewis@ gethin.davies@, paul.james@, endaf.edwards@,

Subject : Internal Review: Lack of Connectivity in Aberystwyth T2 from Dolgellau to T1C for Cardiff for passengers North of Aberystwyth (790340)

Copies Welsh Assembly members, ceredigion council, powys council, gwynedd council, aberystwyth council

Dear Alun Williams,

Could you please arrange for an internal review of the replies from Gerwyn Jones on 31/05/2018 to my request of 05/05/2018.   The original question is in black, Gerwyn Jones replies are in purple and the request for an internal review are in red.      It would be helpful if the Ceredigion Councillor responsible for Transport ,(who was in receipt of my original request), could indicate whether the reply from Gerwyn Jones was viewed by the Ceredigion Councillor responsible for Transport before it was released  and could indicate whether the statements from Gerwyn Jones, a Council Official,  cover the views and policies of Ceredigion County Council with respect to improving Trawscymru Services into and through Aberystwyth.

Yours Sincerely

John Mctighe

(1) CAN THE T2 DEPARTURE TIME FROM DOLGELLAU BE CHANGED FROM 8.10 TO 8.00 AND THE DIVERSION THROUGH COMINS COCH VILLAGE BE REMOVED  TO ALLOW THE T2 FROM DOLGELLAU TO ARRIVE AT 9.15 IN ABERYSTWYTH AND CONNECT WITH THE T1C FROM ABERYSTWYTH TO CARDIFF?

Ceredigion County Council is not in a position to directly influence this matter and therefore has no comment to make in relation to it.

Request for Internal Review.

THE ANSWER IS EVASIVE.   COULD GERWYN JONES GIVE A CLEAR ANSWER TO THE QUESTION WHICH MAY INVOLVE CEREDIGION COUNCIL APPROACHING THE OTHER T2 CONTRACT PARTNERS, THE WELSH GOVERNMENT, AND THE T2/T3 SERVICE DELIVERY GROUP.   THE ANSWER  ”NO COMMENT TO MAKE IN RELATION TO IT”  IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.      THE PROBLEM IS LACK OF CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN 2 TRAWSCYMRU SERVICES IN ABERYSTWYTH ONE OF WHICH HAS A CONTRACT MANAGED BY CEREDIGION COUNCIL .   THE PROBLEM IS LACK OF CONNECTIVITY IN ABERYSTWYTH IN THE COUNTY OF CEREDIGION NOT ANYWHERE ELSE IN WALES AND CEREDIGION COUNCIL SHOULD BE PROACTIVE IN SOLVCING THE PROBLEM.    CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL ARE PARTNERS IN THE T2 CONTRACT (AS STATED BY GWYNEDD COUNCIL WHO MANAGE THE CONTRACT AND S EVIDENCED BY POWYS COUNCIL WHO ARE ALSO PARTNERS TO THE T2  CONTRACT.)     THE T2 ROUTE STARTS IN BANGOR (GWYNEDD) GOES THROUGH GWYNEDD , POWYS AND CEREDIGION ENDING UP IN ABERYSTWYTH. CEREDIGION COUNCIL ARE ALSO MEMBERS OF THE T2/T3 SERVICE DELIVERY GROUP WHICH COVERS TIMETABLE ISSUES AND ARE THEREFORE ”IN A POSITION TO DIRECTLY INFLUENCE THIS MATTER”

CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL HAVE DENIED THAT THEY ARE PARTNERS IN THE T2 CONTRACT .

THE REASON THAT CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL HAVE DENIED THAT THEY ARE PARTNERS IN THE T2 CONTRACT IS IN ORDER FOR GERWYN JONES TO BE ABLE TO  PUT FORWARD THE ABOVE EXCUSE “”NOT IN A POSITION TO DIRECTLY INFLUENCE THIS MATTER”” .     GERWYN JONES HAS DONE EXACTLY THE SAME THING BEFORE WHEN HE PUT FORWARD THE EXCUSE “THE T2 TIMETABLE CHANGES OF 15/01/2018 WERE NOT SUBJECT TO CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL AGREEMENT” AFTER 4 CHANGES WERE DETRIMENTAL TO CONNECTIONS IN ABERYSTWYTH. GWYNEDD COUNCIL HAVE SAID CEREDIGION COUNCIL DID AGREE TO THE CHANGES OF 15/01/2018.

CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL COULD CONTACT THEIR OTHER T2 CONTRACT PARTNERS TO REQUEST A CHANGE AND RAISE THE MATTER AT THE T2/T3 SERVICE DELIVERY GROUP.  CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL ARE THE ONLY ORGANISATION INVOLVED WITH THE T2 SERVICE WHO COULD REQUEST THAT THE T2 DIVERSION THROUGH COMINS COCH VILLAGE, (WHICH IS IN CEREDIGION),  IS REMOVED SINCE CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL REQUESTED THAT IT WAS INCLUDED.

THE ABOVE REQUEST COVERS PART OF A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO A CONNECTIVITY  PROBLEM IN ABERYSTWYTH (CEREDIGION) BETWEEN THE T2 SERVICE AND A T1C  SERVICE WHICH HAS ITS CONTRACT MANAGED BY CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE CONNECTIVITY PROBLEM BETWEEN THE T2 SERVICE AND A T1C  SERVICE IS IN ABERYSTWYTH IN CEREDIGION AND CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL SHOULD THEREFORE HAVE A  RESPONSIBILITY TO PASSENGERS WHO ARE BEING INCONVENIENCED IN ABERYSTWYTH IN CEREDIGION.

THE STATEMENT  “NO COMMENT TO MAKE IN RELATION TO IT” SHOWS THE COMPLETE LACK OF INTEREST BY GERWYN JONES IN IMPROVING TRAWSCYMRU SERVICES THROUGH ABERYSTWYTH.

(2) CAN THE T1C DEPARTURE TIME FROM ABERYSTWYTH BE CHANGED FROM 9.30 TO 9.25 TO ALLOW THE T1C TO ARRIVE IN CARMARTHEN AT 10.57 AND CONNECT WITH THE T1S DEPARTURE TO SWANSEA AT 11.05 GIVING 8 MINUTES OF CONNECTIVITY INSTEAD OF 3 MINUTES?

The current timetable has been designed with a view of optimising travel opportunities and connections but there are obviously limitations to this. The T1C and T1S are timetabled as connecting services.

Request for Internal Review

THE ANSWER IS EVASIVE .  COULD GERWYN JONES PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION ?

THE ABOVE STATEMENT BY GERWYN JONES DOES NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION . THE STATEMENT THAT ”THE CURRENT TIMETABLE HAS BEEN DESIGNED WITH A VIEW OF OPTIMISING TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES AND CONNECTIONS” IS EVASIVE AND CLEARLY NONSENSE.      THE TIMETABLE HAS NOT ”BEEN DESIGNED WITH A VIEW TO OPTIMISING TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES AND CONNECTIONS”  WHEN THE T2 FROM DOLGELLAU ARRIVES IN ABERYSTWYTH AT 9.30 AND DOES NOT CONNECT WITH THE T1C DEPARTURE TO CARDIFF AT 9.30.   THE T1C AND T1S ARE “TIMETABLED AS CONNECTING SERVICES” BUT ONLY HAVE 3 MINUTES OF CONNECTIVITY IN CARMARTHEN.    THERE ARE NO ”LIMITATIONS” TO STOP A T1C DEPARTURE TIME CHANGE IN ABERYSTWYTH FROM 9.30 TO 9.25.      AS MANAGER OF THE T1C CONTRACT, CEREDIGION COUNCIL SHOULD BE ABLE TO ARRANGE FOR THIS CHANGE TO BE MADE BY CONSULTING WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND AT THE SAME TIME THEY COULD DISCUSS WITH THEIR T2 CONTRACT PARTNERS A CHANGE TO  THE T2 DEPARTURE IN DOLGELLAU IN ORDER  TO MAKE THE T2  A CONNECTING SERVICE WITH THE T1C IN ABERYSTWYTH  . The problem is lack o of connectivity in Aberystwyth in the County of Ceredigion not anywhere else in Wales and Ceredigion Council should be proactive in solvcing the problem.

(3) IS THE T1C SERVICE CONTRACT BEING MANAGED BY CEREDIGION COUNCIL AND, IF NOT , WHICH ORGANISATION IS MANAGING THE T1C SERVICE CONTRACT?

The T1C service is procured and managed on behalf of the Welsh Government by Ceredigion County Council.

Request for Internal Review.

COULD  GERWYN JONES PLEASE CONFIRM THAT THE T1 SERVICE CONTRACT  IS BEING MANAGED BY CEREDIGION COUNCIL

(4) WHICH ORGANISATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONNECTIVITY OF THE TRAWSCYMRU T2 ARRIVAL AT 9.30 AND THE T1C DEPARTURE AT 9.30 IN ABERYSTWYTH.

The T2 and T1C services form part of the Welsh Government’s TrawsCymru network.

Request for Internal Review

THE ANSWER IS EVASIVE . COULD GERWYN JONES PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION?

I ALREADY KNEW THAT THE T2 AND T1C SERVICES FORM PART OF THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S TRAWSCYMRU NETWORK.      I ASKED “WHICH ORGANISATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONNECTIVITY OF THE TRAWSCYMRU T2 ARRIVAL AT 9.30 AND THE T1C DEPARTURE AT 9.30 IN ABERYSTWYTH.”

(5) DOES THE CEREDIGION COUNCIL HOLD A COPY OF THE T1C SERVICE CONTRACT?

Yes

(6) WHICH OTHER ORGANISATIONS ARE PARTNERS IN THE T1C SERVICE CONTRACT ?

The contractual partners are Ceredigion County Council and the operator of the Service. The Welsh Government’s involvement is as the funding and co-ordinating body as part of its TrawsCymru network.

Request for Internal Review.

COULD CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL CONFIRM THAT CARMARTHENSHIRE AND GLAMORGAN COUNTY COUNCILS ARE NOT PARTNERS IN THE T1C SERVICE  CONTRACT AS IT IS NORMAL FOR TRAWSCYMRU SERVICE CONTRACTS TO INCLUDE AS PARTNERS TO THE CONTRACT ALL COUNTY COUNCILS THAT THE TRAWSCYMRU SERVICE CROSSES.   COULD CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL ALSO CONFIRM WHETHER OR NOT THE WELSH GOVERNMENT ARE CONTRACT PARTNERS?

(7) WHICH PARTNERS IN THE T1C SERVICE CONTRACT HOLD A COPY OF THE T1C SERVICE CONTRACT ?

The Contractual Partners.

Request for Internal Review

THE ANSWER IS EVASIVE.   COULD CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL PLEASE NAME THE CONTRACTUAL PARTNERS.   COULD CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL PLEASE CONFIRM WHETHER THE WELSH GOVERNMENT HOLD A COPY OF THE T1C SERVICE CONTRACT.

(8) WHICH ORGANISATION(S) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DECIDING THE T1C TIMETABLE ?

The T1C timetable has been developed in conjunction between the Welsh Government and Ceredigion County Council.

Request for Internal Review

Can Ceredigion County Council confirm that Carmarthenshire and Glamorgan County Councils were not involved in deciding the T1C timetable.  Can Ceredigion County Council confirm that  the operator of the Service (who is a contract partner)  was not the involved in deciding the T1C timetable.

(9) WHICH ORGANISATION PROPOSED A 9.30 T1C DEPARTURE FROM ABERYSTWYTH?

Please refer to the responses above. _

Request for Internal Review

THE ANSWER IS EVASIVE . COULD GERWYN JONES PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION?   I DO NOT WANT TO LOOK THROUGH ALL THE 8 RESPONSES ABOVE AND TRY TO DECIPHER WHICH ONE ANSWERS THE QUESTION.   DID THE WELSH GOVERNMENT PROPOSE A 9.30 T1C DEPARTURE FROM ABERYSTWYTH ?    IF THE WELSH GOVERNMENT DID PROPOSE A 9.30 T1C DEPARTURE FROM ABERYSTWYTH DID CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL POINT OUT THE LACK OF CONNECTIVITY WITH THE T2 ARRIVAL FROM DOLGELLAU AT 9.30?     IF CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSED A 9.30 T1C DEPARTURE FROM ABERYSTWYTH WHY DID THEY CHOOSE THIS TIME KNOWING THAT THE T2 ARRIVAL FROM DOLGELLAU AT 9.30 WOULD NOT CONNECT WITH THE T1C?       IF ANOTHER ORGANISATION PROPOSED A 9.30 T1C DEPARTURE FROM ABERYSTWYTH COULD GERWYN JONES PLEASE SAY WHICH ORGANISATION ?

(10) WAS THE 9.30 T1C DEPARTURE FROM ABERYSTWYTH DISCUSSED WITH GWYNED COUNCIL, ( WHO MANAGE THE T2 CONTRACT),  AND WITH POWYS COUNCIL WHO ARE PARTNERS IN THE T2 CONTRACT , IN VIEW OF THE 9.30 T2 ARRIVAL, 9.30 T1C DEPARTURE IN ABERYSTWYTH?

Not directly by officers from Ceredigion County Council.

Request for Internal Review

THE ANSWER IS EVASIVE . COULD GERWYN JONES PLEASE ANSWER THE QUESTION ?

DOES “NOT DIRECTLY” MEAN “NOT AT ALL”.   DOES “NOT DIRECTLY” MEAN “YES BUT INDIRECTLY”

DID OFFICERS FROM CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL HAVE NO DISCUSSIONS WITH GWYNED COUNCIL REGARDING __THE 9.30 T1C DEPARTURE IN ABERYSTWYTH ?

DID OFFICERS FROM CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL HAVE INDIRECT DISCUSSIONS  WITH GWYNED COUNCIL REGARDING __THE 9.30 T1C DEPARTURE IN ABERYSTWYTH ?

DID ANOTHER ORGANISATION HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH GWYNED COUNCIL REGARDING THE 9.30 T1C DEPARTURE IN ABERYSTWYTH AND IF SO WHICH ORGANISATION ?

WHICH COUNCILS WERE DISCUSSIONS HELD WITH?   GWYNEDD COUNCIL OR POWYS COUNCIL OR BOTH GWYNEDD AND POWYS COUNCILS?

WE ARE LED TO BELIEVE THAT CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL PROCURE AND MANAGE A T1C SERVICE CONTRACT AND AGREE A 9.30 DEPARTURE TIME IN ABERYSTWYTH, BUT CEREDIGION COUNCIL DID NOT BOTHER TO DISCUSS THIS DEPARTURE TIME WITH GWYNEDD COUNCIL. GWYNEDD COUNCIL MANAGE THE CONTRACT OF THE T2 9.30 ARRIVAL  IN ABERYSTWYTH WHICH DOES NOT CONNECT WITH THE T1C DEPARTURE TIME OF 9.30 INTRODUCED BY CEREDIGION COUNCIL, WHO MANAGE THE T1C CONTRACT .  THIS IS NOT A NEIGHBOURLY , FRIENDLY, PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE BY CEREDIGION COUNCIL TO IGNORE THE FACT THAT PASSENGERS FROM NORTH OF ABERYSTWYTH CANNOT USE THE NEW T1C COACH SERVICE FROM ABERYSTWYTH TO CARDIFF.    IT APPEARS THAT CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL ARE COMPLETELY UNCONCERNED ABOUT LACK OF CONNECTIVITY IN ABERYSTWYTH.   DESPITE MANAGING TRAWSCYMRU CONTRACTS, BEING PARTNERS IN TRAWSCYMRU CONTRACTS AND BEING MEMBERS OF TRAWSCYMRU SERVICE DELIVERY GROUPS CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL ARE HAPPY TO SIT AND DO NOTHING ABOUT IMPROVING TRAWSCYMRU SERVICES INTO AND THROUGH  ABERYSTWYTH.

—-Original message—-

From : technical.services@ceredigion.gov.uk

Date : 31/05/2018 – 16:26 (GMTST)

To : john.mct@

Subject : Lack of Connectivity for passengers North of Aberystwyth 790340)

Dear Dr McTighe

I refer to your email dated 5 May 2018.

My responses to your questions are as provided in yellow under each.

Yours sincerely

GERWYN JONES

Group Manager – Local Environment Services

FOR RHODRI LLWYD

Corporate Lead Officer – Highways and Environmental Services

Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg a Saesneg. Cewch ateb Cymraeg i bob gohebiaeth Gymraeg ac ateb Saesneg i bob gohebiaeth Saesneg. Ni fydd gohebu yn Gymraeg yn arwain at oedi.

We welcome correspondence in Welsh and English. Correspondence received in Welsh will be answered in Welsh and correspondence in English will be answered in English. Corresponding in Welsh will not involve any delay.

FROM: L MCTIGHE [mailto:john.mct@]

SENT: 05 May 2018 17:25

TO: Catrin Miles; Meirion Davies; Dai Mason; Dan Potter;

 

Ceredigion CE Freedom Of Information;

SUBJECT: Fwd: FOIA Ceredigion Council on Lack of Connectivity for passengers North of Aberystwyth on the T1C Aberystwyth to Cardiff service

—-Original message—-

From : john.mct@btinternet.com

Date : 05/05/2018 – 17:14 (GMTST)

To : alun.williams@, ray.quant@, ellen.apgwynn@

Subject : FOIA Ceredigion Council on Lack of Connectivity for passengers North of Aberystwyth on the T1C Aberystwyth to Cardiff service

Dear Alun Williams,

I understand Ceredigion County Council have procured the coach service for the TtC Aberystwyth to Cardiff route.  Could you please provide information on the following questions:

(1) Can the T2 departure time from Dolgellau be changed from 8.10 to 8.00 and the diversion through Comins Coch village be removed  to  allow the T2 from Dolgellau to arrive at 9.15 in Aberystwyth and connect with the T1C from Aberystwyth to Cardiff?

CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL IS NOT IN A POSITION TO DIRECTLY INFLUENCE THIS MATTER AND THEREFORE HAS NO COMMENT TO MAKE IN RELATION TO IT.

(2) Can the T1C departure time from Aberystwyth be changed from 9.30 to 9.25 to allow the T1C to arrive in Carmarthen at 10.57 and connect with the T1S departure to Swansea at 11.05 giving 8 minutes of connectivity instead of 3 minutes?

THE CURRENT TIMETABLE HAS BEEN DESIGNED WITH A VIEW OF OPTIMISING TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES AND CONNECTIONS BUT THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY LIMITATIONS TO THIS. THE T1C AND T1S ARE TIMETABLED AS CONNECTING SERVICES.

(3) Is the T1C service contract being managed by Ceredigion Council and, if not , which organisation is managing the T1C service contract ?

THE T1C SERVICE IS PROCURED AND MANAGED ON BEHALF OF THE WELSH GOVERNMENT BY CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL.

(4) Which organisation is responsible for connectivity of the Trawscymru T2 arrival at 9.30 and the T1C departure at 9.30 in Aberystwyth.

THE T2 AND T1C SERVICES FORM PART OF THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S TRAWSCYMRU NETWORK.

(5) Does the Ceredigion Council hold a copy of the T1C service contract?

YES

(6) Which other organisations are partners in the T1C service contract ?.

THE CONTRACTUAL PARTNERS ARE CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL AND THE OPERATOR OF THE SERVICE. THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S INVOLVEMENT IS AS THE FUNDING AND CO-ORDINATING BODY AS PART OF ITS TRAWSCYMRU NETWORK.

(7) Which partners in the T1C service contract hold a copy of the T1C service contract ?

THE CONTRACTUAL PARTNERS.

(8) Which organisation(s) is responsible for deciding the T1C timetable ?.

THE T1C TIMETABLE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN CONJUNCTION BETWEEN THE WELSH  GOVERNMENT AND CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL.

(9) Which organisation proposed a 9.30 T1C departure from Aberystwyth?

PLEASE REFER TO THE RESPONSES ABOVE.

(10) Was the 9.30 T1C departure from Aberystwyth discussed with Gwyned Council, ( who manage the T2 contract),  and with Powys Council who are partners in the T2 contract , in view of the 9.30 T2 Arrival, 9.30 T1C departure in Aberystwyth.?

NOT DIRECTLY BY OFFICERS FROM CEREDIGION COUNTY COUNCIL.

I shall be asking similar questions of The Welsh Government and Gwyned Council.

Yours Sincerely

DR JOHN MCTIGHE