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Birmingham Post
Birmingham Post
Business
Owen Hughes

Conwy Valley Line train services to restart this month after £2.2m investment

The Conwy Valley Line in North Wales is reopen this month after a major investment to protect it from flooding.

Running between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno the rail service is a crucial link for residents and also brings in visitors to the area.

But it was badly damaged in winter storms with parts of the line washed away by flood water.

Flooded Conwy Valley line (Network Rail)

Network Rail have spent £2.2m to protect the line from extreme weather with the installation of 16,000 tonnes of rock armour alongside almost 2km of railway between Tal y Cafn and Llanrwst.

The route will now reopen on September 28.

Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders said: "I am delighted to welcome this news from the Conwy Valley Rail Partnership.

"This forecasted reopening will reassure residents, who have been too often forced onto bus replacement services over recent years.

Janet Finch-Saunders AM (Free editorial use)

“Given that the Conwy Valley railway has been historically beleaguered by problems with the onset of even the mildest rain, I also welcome the installation of 16,000 tonnes of rock armour between Tal y Cafn and Llanrwst, which is a sensible approach given our changing climate and an increasing number of flooding instances locally.  

“National Rail insist that this rock armour should help slow floodwater and prevent it from carrying away the railway embankment and ballast supporting the track.

"I will continue to review the situation over the coming winter months to ensure that this water defence is working as has been forecasted. 

“With the promise of a more reliable timetable, I hope that the culmination of these works will show that local patience has paid dividends. This railway offers a pivotal service that connects some of Conwy’s most rural communities and so I have consistently pushed for further investment to secure its long-term future."

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