Fonds GB 0210 CCLAG - Cambrian Coast Line Action Group Archive = Archif Grŵp Gweithredu Rheilffordd y Cambrian

The Cambrian Coast Line Action Group was formed following a proposal by British Rail to withdraw the passenger train service between Machynlleth and Pwllheli along the Cambrian Coast line in 1971. The group brought together various interested parties, organised a petition, arranged a special train to London, lobbied politicians, made proposals to increase passenger number and revenue, requested information and publicised the campaign via newsletters, publications, the press and television. A public enquiry, called by the Transport users' Consultative Committee following the closure proposal found that closure of the railway would cause hardship and recommended to the Secretary of State that closure should be refused and a subsidy paid to British Rail to operate the service. However the Department of the Environment worked to set up alternative bus services and again and called a further public enquiry which found that the bus services were unworkable and again rejected closure in 1972. Following the announcement that the railway would not be closed the group remained active and worked to promote the line and ensure that repairs were carried out to Barmouth Bridge when it was found to need substantial repairs in the early 1980s. The group also worked with railway campaigns in other parts of Wales, forming the Welsh Railways Action Group which lobbied for for improvements in the Welsh railway network.

The Welsh Railways Action Group was formed in December 1971 by representatives of several rail organisations in Wales including the Cambrian Coast Line Action Group and the West Wales Railway Action Committee. It brought together interested organisations to campaign for better railway services in Wales, stimulate discussion and research, assist in setting up rail users and campaign groups and publicise the benefit of rail freight.