"The Beeching era was when railway lines were closed down in the 1960's. The line from Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury somehow survived but four connecting lines and nineteen intermediate stations were lost.

Forty Five years on road transport has not worked out as promised. Congestion grips Aberystwyth, Newtown and Shrewsbury on a daily basis.

Pollution, frustration and a little talked about death and injury toll are the reality.

Many call for action including those that demand better or improved roads.

A recent dual carriageway built in Somerset cost over £30 million a mile to build.

The sort of money needed to build dual carriageways in Mid Wales does not exist without cutting health and education budgets.

The problems of our towns not being designed for motor vehicles would still exist even if such money was found.

Re-opening some of the closed stations between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury could partially help by providing alternatives to the car for commuters.

A new station in the Rhyd Y Pennau area between Bow St and Llandre would help ease the nightmare that is driving into Aberystwyth in the mornings and ease pressure on car parking in the town.

Other possible candidates for reopening include Carno, Abermule and Hanwood.

Upgrading rail links comes at a fraction of the cost of trying to build more roads.

The Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury lines has recently secured funds to double its line capacity for £13 million - less than half a mile of dual carriageway.

Rail may not be a complete solution - I know the weekly shopping is hard by train! But it increasingly looks like an affordable option in a world of increasing oil prices."

Article written by Gareth Marston