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About us

The Heart of Wales Line Development Company  is a not for profit company limited by guarantee, with a  Board of Directors   who are active in delivery of the company aims as well as strategic ambassadors for the line. There are currently 2 part-time members of staff and core funding comes mainly through grants from train operators, with small additional amounts from enterprise activities and local authorities. We apply for additional grants in order to deliver projects. 


Our core business is to support, promote, and develop the Heart of Wales Line for the benefit of communities, businesses and passengers.  We are an accredited Community Rail Partnership, working with the rail industry, Welsh Government and local stakeholders to:


• Provide a voice for our communities and stakeholders 

• Promote and develop the line as a means of sustainable, healthy and accessible travel 

• Deliver projects and form partnerships in order to improve the social and economic growth of the    communities along the line

• Work for the benefit of all communities, and supports diversity and inclusion in everything we do


We have the leasehold of the Grade 2 listed Llandovery Station building, which is managed by the ‘Friends of Llandovery Station’. They have a successful, volunteer-led café for the benefit of passengers and the local community, as well as space for model railway enthusiasts. 


The Development Company is based at The Station Hub in Llandeilo, a sustainable building built as a community space and, in theory, a moveable building which could be used on railway land without permanent infrastructure needed. 


In early 2019, we launched the completed Heart of Wales Line Walking Trail. This unique 141-mile trail winds its way between stations from Craven Arms in Shropshire to Llanelli in the South, enabling walkers to use the train to start their walk or return to base at the end. Hundreds of walkers have started to explore this new trail which focusses on a slow, scenic travel experience, and bringing economic benefit to businesses and communities along the line. Find out more about on the Trail page. 

The Heart of Wales Line Development Company is a not for profit company limited by guarantee, with aBoard of Directorswho are active in delivery of the company aims as well as strategic ambassadors for the line. There are currently 2 part-time members of staff and core funding comes mainly through grants from train operators, with small additional amounts from enterprise activities and local authorities. We apply for additional grants in order to deliver projects. 

Our core business is to support, promote, and develop the Heart of Wales Line for the benefit of communities, businesses and passengers. We are an accredited Community Rail Partnership, working with the rail industry, Welsh Government and local stakeholders to:

• Provide a voice for our communities and stakeholders 
• Promote and develop the line as a means of sustainable, healthy and accessible travel 
• Deliver projects and form partnerships in order to improve the social and economic
  growth of the communities along the line
• Work for the benefit of all communities, and supports diversity and inclusion 
   in everything we do

We have the leasehold of the Grade 2 listed Llandovery Station building, which is managed by the ‘Friends of Llandovery Station’. They have a successful, volunteer-led café for the benefit of passengers and the local community, as well as space for miniature railway enthusiasts. 

The Development Company is based at The Station Hub in Llandeilo, a sustainable building built as a community space and, in theory, a moveable building which could be used on railway land without permanent infrastructure needed. 

In early 2019, we launched the completed Heart of Wales Line Walking Trail. This unique 141-mile trail winds its way between stations from Craven Arms in Shropshire to Llanelli in the South, enabling walkers to use the train to start their walk or return to base at the end. Hundreds of walkers have started to explore this new trail which focusses on a slow, scenic travel experience, and bringing economic benefit to businesses and communities along the line. 

The Heart of Wales Line Development Company  is a not for profit company limited by guarantee, with a Board of Directors who are active in delivery of the company aims as well as strategic ambassadors for the line. There are currently 2 part-time members of staff and core funding comes mainly through grants from train operators, with small additional amounts from enterprise activities and local authorities. We apply for additional grants in order to deliver projects. 


Our core business is to support, promote, and develop the Heart of Wales Line for the benefit of communities, businesses and passengers. 


We are an accredited Community Rail Partnership, working with the rail industry, Welsh Government and local stakeholders to:


• Provide a voice for our communities and

  stakeholders 

• Promote and develop the line as a means of 

  sustainable, healthy and accessible travel 

• Deliver projects and form partnerships in 

  order to improve the social and economic 

  growth of the communities along the line

• Work for the benefit of all communities, and 

  supports diversity and inclusion in 

  everything  we do


We have the leasehold of the Grade 2 listed Llandovery Station building, which is managed by the ‘Friends of Llandovery Station’. They have a successful, volunteer-led café for the benefit of passengers and the local community, as well as space for miniature railway enthusiasts. 


The Development Company is based at The Station Hub in Llandeilo, a sustainable building built as a community space and, in theory, a moveable building which could be used on railway land without permanent infrastructure needed. 


In early 2019, we launched the completed Heart of Wales Line Walking Trail. This unique 141-mile trail winds its way between stations from Craven Arms in Shropshire to Llanelli in the South, enabling walkers to use the train to start their walk or return to base at the end. Hundreds of walkers have started to explore this new trail which focusses on a slow, scenic travel experience, and bringing economic benefit to businesses and communities along the line. 

Heart of Wales Line Development Company 

Board Directors

Heart of Wales Line Development Company 
Board Directors

David Edwards – Chair

I currently chair the Development Company and am a founder member of its Board. After obtaining a degree in Economics I worked for British Rail before moving on to a career encompassing Management Consultancy and a wide variety of projects in retail, healthcare, transport, tourism and outplacement work. I was the Development Officer for the Heart of Wales Line Forum for over 15 years and was until recently a Board Member for the Association of Community Rail Partnerships. I believe that better use of the Heart of Wales Line offers great opportunities to help with the regeneration of the communities and businesses that it serves. The Development Company offers volunteer directors the opportunity to take this work forward.

John Davies 

I have been a Director of DevCo since 2012, having been invited to join given my great interest and expertise in railways and marketing. I bring to the company my wide experience from a career of 32 years with British Rail, including eight years with direct responsibility for the Heart of Wales line along with other Welsh rural railways. Subsequently, a freelance transport consultant in public transport (including two years as acting officer for the Conwy Valley rail partnership) and for the last 12 years initiated and managed the BayTrans partnership*, inter alia developing expertise in bus marketing over that time.
I have a lifelong interest in all forms of transport, a deep understanding and practical experience of marketing and tourism; and in particular a love of Wales, all of which will help in my support for the success of the Heart of Wales Line.
*Swansea Bay Sustainable Tourism & Transport Partnership

Mike Watson

I try to use my experience and knowledge to develop the HWL. In particular, I want to see the provision of a more frequent and reliable seven days a week service, properly co-ordinated with local bus services, in the interests of the communities which the line serves I am Vice-Chairman of the line's user group, the HWL Travellers' Association.
As co-ordinator of the Heart of Wales Line Trail Steering Group, I make a focus of encouraging use of the line by visitors to the area, especially walkers on the HWL Trail.

Gill Wright

I have gained great experience of railway and community matters and the way they need to integrate from my time spent as a long-term active member of the Heart of Wales Line Travellers Association and a Director of the Development Company. I was instrumental in the transformation of Llandovery station to the successful tea room and focus of community life it now is, operated through the activities of the Friends of Llandovery station, which I helped to form.
I have supported and served local organisations such as being a Town Councillor and Chairing Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Societies.

Sam Walmsley

3 years ago I had no interest in trains or rail travel beyond occasional use as a practical form of transport. In 2018 we moved house and became full time residents in one of the stations on the Heart of Wales Line. Since then rail has literally become part of everyday life and with that has come an appreciation of what the line means to the communities that are scattered along it. 

When the chance to become involved with the Development Company came up I eagerly put my name forward, enthusiastic to help them further develop the potential for the Heart of Wales Line to bring benefits to those who live along the route and the many visitors who come to the area . Although it’s early days for me, I look forward to using my project management skills to help the Development Company achieve its’ aims, particularly where those aims align with personal interests around cycling and walking.

Richard Workman

Richard has worked for the majority of his career in the public sector originally as a Town Planner and becoming responsible for planning and transport in a large Unitary Authority in England before becoming Director of Technical Services at Carmarthenshire County Council from 2003 until he retired in 2014. In this later role he was responsible for a range of front line services including transport and highways and he worked extensively with Welsh Government and public private and third sector partners to deliver and enhance transport infrastructure and public transport provision .Since 2014 he has been Chair of Public Transport Information Cymru which delivers the bi-lingual Traveline service for Wales .

Richard originates from Gloucestershire and is a long standing , and long suffering , supporter of Bristol Rovers FC.


Andrew Cook

Being based in the heart of Wales for nearly 50 years and enjoying its many benefits, I am nevertheless only too aware of the problems we face; not least the limitations of and threats to local public transport.

I have worked in many sectors and in many countries and grown my own hospitality business from nothing to 4 units, an experience I try to share, particularly within my role of Treasurer Director.

Latterly the Senior Standards Verifier for Higher Management qualifications, I travelled across the UK and saw the importance of combining continual personal development with experience to help organisations achieve goals and cope with an ever-changing world. I combine my particular interest in business law and finance relating to small business with, where possible, a hands-on approach.

Apart from a dedication to DevCo, I am involved as Treasurer/Director with a local Charity where I aim to give something back to my, my children’s and grandchildren’s mid-Wales community.

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