Rail group re-elects two leaders to spearhead Cambrian Railway

The two leaders of the organisation working to increase rail use on the Cambrian Railway line have secured another two years in their posts.

Neil Scott and Graham Davis were unanimously re-elected as chair and vice-chair respectively of the Cambrian Railway Partnership at its annual general meeting.

The partnership supports communities along the Cambrian Line, where trains operate between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth, calling at towns including Welshpool, Newtown and Caersws.

Hosted by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations and funded primarily by Transport for Wales, it works with councils, community organisations, station adopters, tourism groups and volunteers to encourage rail use.

Its newly published 2025-26 impact report says more than 40 community groups and organisations were engaged during the year, while 33 community blogs were published.

The partnership also distributed more than £7,400 between 16 organisations through its Railway 200 Community Grant Fund. The money supported projects marking 200 years of the modern railway.

Other work during the year included appointing a new Community Rail Development Officer and promoting sustainable travel, railway safety and access to services across Mid Wales, Gwynedd and Shropshire.

Mr Scott said he was delighted to have been re-elected and that the partnership had experienced “a significant period of change”.

He added: “We look forward to another two years of leading and supporting the partnership and delivering new projects for communities and the railway.”

Community Rail Development Officer Deb Justice said the year had provided opportunities to engage directly with people living and working alongside the Cambrian Line.

She said projects supported by the Railway 200 fund reflected the “creativity, commitment and pride” of communities along the route.

Melanie Lawton, Community Rail Strategy Lead, said Mr Scott and Mr Davis would help guide the partnership’s work, secure funding and improve connections between communities and their railway.