June 11, 2026 - 219 views
A new direct rail service linking Llandudno and Liverpool, along with community-led projects on the Cambrian Coast, have been highlighted as examples of how railways are helping bring people together across Wales.
Community Rail Week 2026, organised by Community Rail Network and sponsored by Rail Delivery Group, showcased the work of community rail partnerships, station volunteers and local organisations under the theme “Journeys for All”.
In North Wales, Wales and Borders Community Rail Partnerships teamed up with Transport for Wales to promote the new direct Llandudno-to-Liverpool service at a showcase event held at Liverpool Lime Street station.
The event highlighted the role the route can play in improving connectivity between North Wales and one of the UK’s largest cities, making it easier for people to travel for work, education, leisure and tourism while encouraging more sustainable travel choices.
Meanwhile, the Cambrian Lines Community Rail Partnership marked the week by unveiling Railway 200 community art and heritage projects at Criccieth station.
The projects celebrated local volunteering, biodiversity and railway history, bringing together residents and rail users while showcasing the important role stations can play as community hubs. Organisers said the initiative helped strengthen connections between local people and their railway while highlighting the area’s rich heritage.
Across Wales, thousands of people took part in Community Rail Week activities designed to demonstrate how railways can help tackle isolation, improve wellbeing and make travel more accessible.
Elsewhere, the Three Valleys Community Rail Partnership delivered its “Reading on the Rails” initiative across services in Merthyr Tydfil, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Cardiff, handing out free books and bookmarks to encourage reading and community engagement.
In west Wales, the South West Wales Connected Community Rail Partnership hosted creative writing workshops on the Fishguard-Goodwick line, while the Heart of Wales Line Community Rail Partnership welcomed a new station adopter group at Llandeilo to support volunteering and station improvements.
Community Rail Network chief executive Jools Townsend said Community Rail Week had demonstrated the positive impact community rail partnerships and volunteers have in making rail travel more accessible and relevant to local communities.
She said: “Community Rail Week 2026 demonstrated the incredible impact that community rail has in bringing people together and making rail travel more accessible, welcoming and relevant to people’s lives.
“Through this year’s ‘Journeys for All’ theme, community rail partnerships and volunteers showcased how local railways can help tackle isolation, build confidence, improve wellbeing and connect people to opportunities.”
Three Valleys Community Rail Partnership officer Verity Lewis said the campaign celebrated the partnerships that help make railways “so much more than a means of transport”.
Community rail continues to play a significant role across Wales, with five community rail partnerships and around 60 station volunteer groups working alongside train operators, local authorities, charities and community organisations to improve stations, encourage sustainable travel and keep railways at the heart of community life.
Across Britain, there are 76 community rail partnerships and more than 1,300 station volunteer groups supporting local railways and the communities they serve.
