A Rail Addendum Study branded the Fishguard Harbour sevice as "untenable" and "not fulfilling any real purpose". Details of the study were released by Pembrokeshire County Council earlier this week.

The study, commissioned by the South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium (SWWITCH), said:

"The issue of services to Fishguard needs to be subject to further debate.'

It went on to say that the need for further discussion means that local consultation will take place.

"The reference to ?further debate? will enable additional local consultation on this and other issues contained in the report."

The results of the study, carried out by WS Atkins and consulting nearly 49 industry stakeholders, have been accepted by the consortium?s Steering Group and its member authorities of Pembrokeshire, Swansea, Carmarthenshire, and Neath Port Talbot.

Pembrokeshire County Council is represented on the consortium by Ian Westley, Director of Transportation and Environment, and Councillor Brian Hall, Cabinet Member for Transportation and Environment.

The study anticipates that the focus for rail development will be on services along the Haverfordwest - Carmarthen - Swansea - Neath Port Talbot - corridor, as demographic forecasts show that rail will remain competitive along this route. Connections to main stations from outlying areas would then be enhanced.

"A common theme to be applied to any strategy is the need for realism and pragmatism," said the report.

"It follows that future development of the regional railway system needs to be based firmly on a critical assessment of the demand, costs and community benefits of improvement schemes including a business case and value for money.

"The desired outcome is efficient public transport via whatever means."