Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas meets Carno campaigners

Campaigners and AMs presented nearly 800 signatures to Presiding Officer Dafydd Elis-Thomas for consideration.

The petition is expected to appear on the assembly website and be sent to the transport minister for a response.

The campaigners said they were "fairly confident" the new system would help their "tremendously good case" succeed.

Carno Station Action Group chairman Tony Burton said he expected the assembly's new procedures would help ensure the petition did not simply gather dust.

"We think we've got a tremendously good case because we're on the longest stretch of line without a station in the whole of Wales - 22 miles," he said.

"Trains currently stop out in the country at Talerddig to pass each other without taking passengers on or off," he added.

The group wants the passing loop on the rail network moved to Carno to allow passengers to board.

They can then see what actions the politicians here take about their petition, and that's brilliant Mick Bates AM, Liberal Democrat

It said Network Rail had indicated the cost would be a relatively modest �100,000.

The campaigners believe the station would both help get people out of their cars and boost the economy of an area which has suffered since the closure of the Laura Ashley factory in the village three years ago.

'Way of engaging'

Lord Elis-Thomas is launching a public consultation to help find the best way of making the new petitions system work effectively.

He told the Carno station campaigners that he wanted to ensure "that there is an outcome (from petitions): you don't just send something".

Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrat AM Mick Bates said he was very excited by the opportunities the new petitions process could offer.