Train boss’ mask law call

A DIRECTOR at Transport for Wales says a “strengthening of the law” may be required regarding face masks after complaints from travellers during the rugby autumn internationals.

Colin Lea, planning and performance director at TFW, said they were trying their best to enforce face masks on public transport, but fines or a strengthening of the law may be the next step.

He told BBC Radio Wales: “I think it starts with personal responsibility. We gave out 10,000 face coverings and that really does help. The rules slightly changing inside the stadium helps because it normalises wearing face coverings in all the circumstances.

“But, ultimately, we may need a strengthening of the law or the British Transport Police to actually start issuing fines, because that fundamentally may be the next step.”

Mr Lea noted that most travellers do abide by the law, however larger crowds without masks can convince others to go without. He explained: “If everyone else is wearing a face covering then people will generally put them on, but if people aren’t then people generally seem to fall back and let it go down to their chin etc.”

He added that Cardiff Central station’s proximity to the Principality Stadium was also the source of crowding issues. He said: “It’s particularly acute here in Wales because our stadium is so close to the main station.”

However, looking ahead to the Six Nations, he explained that travellers can expect “similar” circumstances unless any changes are made to the law.

“Our control teams’ fleet operations put huge amounts of work into that and we moved tens of 1000s of people safely and you know, that is really good.”