TRAINS carrying thousands of visitors to this weekend’s Abergavenny Food Festival will now carry an extra carriage to cope with demand, thanks to the South Wales Argus.

Arriva Trains Wales said it will not provide extra services for many of the 35,000 visitors expected but will, instead, add an extra carriage onto the majority of trains running between Cardiff and Abergavenny following complaints of crowded carriages during last year’s event.

One Newport resident, who travelled to last year’s festival by train with a family of four, said crowds of passengers were forced onto trains and had to stand nose-to-nose.

She said: "It really took the shine off the whole food festival experience, which we go to every year."

"This year we will take our car."

After complaining to Arriva Trains Wales she was refunded the cost of the tickets.

After being contacted by the Argus an Arriva spokesman said an extra carriage will be added to the majority of trains and extra staff deployed at Abergavenny Train Station to assist passengers.

He said the operator reviews all major events in Wales and ensures that wherever possible they match the level of service to historical demand.

A spokeswoman for Abergavenny Food Festival said organisers try to be green where possible and encourage visitors to use public transport and to car share.

She added: "We're pleased to say that although they (Arriva Trains Wales) are unable to put on extra services they will be putting an extra carriage on the scheduled trains during the period of the festival. They will also have staff on hand to help."

The event takes place between September 15 and 16.