RAIL campaigners on both sides of the Wye have come together to ram home the message that passengers on Severnside should not suffer when a new train operating franchise for the area is set.

The line, which includes the stations at Lydney, Chepstow, Caldicot and Severn Tunnel Junction, has previously been dubbed ‘the Cinderella line’ by campaigners.

There are concerns the area could “fall between the cracks” with attention focused on electrification of the main Cardiff to London line and the multi-million pound Metro system for south-east Wales after the new franchise starts next year.

Passenger numbers have increased substantially over the last five years with a total of 180,000 more journeys to and from the four stations between 2010-2011 and 2015-2016.

Last year saw nearly 53,000 more journeys from the stations compared with 2014-2015 according to recent figures from regulator the Office of Rail and Road.

A meeting called by the Severn Tunnel Action Group (STAG) included Newport East MP Jessica Morden, representatives of Forest MP Mark Harper and Monmouth MP David Davies, the Forest, Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire councils, Lydney Town Council and the local branch of the Rail, Maritime and Transport trade union.

Also present were rail experts Professor Stuart Cole of the University of South Wales and Rowland Pittard of Rail Future Cymru.

David Flint, of STAG, said: “We are aiming to put together a document to give the four bidders for the new franchise – Arriva, Abellio, Keolis and MTR – as well as Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government, the information they require.

“Caldicot in particular suffers very badly, with gaps of more than two hours in services at times.

“Lydney and Chepstow have benefitted from additional stops but there is pressure to speed up the route between Nottingham and Cardiff which puts this under threat.

“The South Wales Metro will come as far as Chepstow but may see Lydney lose out.”

Ms Morden, the Labour MP for Newport East said: “I’m grateful to STAG for organising the meeting.

“It was good to have a variety of voices around the table to discuss what local communities are looking for from the new Wales and Borders franchise.

“We discussed the need for continued improvements at Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot and Lydney stations, and the potential of a new station for Magor as part of the forthcoming Metro system.

“A key theme that emerged from discussions was the need to ensure that smaller stations don’t fall between the cracks in the midst of larger projects like electrification of the South Wales main line and the development of the Metro.”

Mr Flint added: “Transport Focus is requesting regular users of the line complete a survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/rail-metro.

“I’d urge you to speak to your Assembly Members and county council. Users of Chepstow station can also communicate their views via ticket office staff.”