Arriva Trains will prepare a summary report of its consultations on the changes

Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Jackie Lawrence is worried about the new rail timetable planned for 2005.

Carmarthen would become a "hub" station and there are fears about passengers missing connections and being forced to wait.

But Arriva Trains Wales says their consultation is not over, and they want to ensure the "best possible" services.

The MP said she uses the train service regularly to London - but a change to the timetable would mean she would have to wait for a connecting train.

"I am not going to be hanging around on a platform for 40 minutes, it will drive customers away," she said.

It is so much better to go on a through-journey rather than change David Watts, Milford Haven Rail Passengers' Association

"Great Western is trying to improve the service by extending their later service (from London), on the other hand Arriva is proposed to slow everything down," said the MP.

"The railways are fundamental to economic development and we don't want to see the service deteriorate, we want to see it improve."

Mrs Lawrence has put forward her concerns to Arriva Trains and is waiting for a response.

Under the changes, she said passengers travelling on the Pembroke Dock line will miss a connection with a Manchester-bound train by one minute.

Local rail passenger groups are also worried.

David Watts, of the Milford Haven Rail Passengers' Association, said: "Pembroke Dock will lose its through-trains and those are extremely popular."

He says travellers faced with changes at Carmarthen will opt for the car.

Connections

"We are not happy with these proposals. It is so much better to go on a through-journey rather than change. It will kill traffic down here in this area."

Councillor Hatti Woakes, of the North Pembrokeshire Transport Forum, said, while they welcome the consultation, they would like to see a review and "modest improvements" to the service.

The forum says the changes will lead to a "disincentive" to travel by rail.

And Clive Williams, of the Rail Passengers Committee Wales, said: "Certainly there is concern about provision in west Wales with timings of service and the whole issue of connections."

Geraint Morgan, Arriva Trains Wales press officer, said consultation with 'key stakeholders' over the introduction of a new timetable in December 2005 was still going on.

"We are keen to understand the aspirations of all stakeholder to ensure that the best possible rail service is provided to our customers and the communities of Wales and the border counties of England.