Thursday 1 May 2014
Cambrian services up and running to Harlech
- Region & Route:
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Wales & Western: Western
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Wales & Western
The train service between Barmouth and Harlech is open for business again today (1 May) following a £10m programme to repair severe damage to the rail infrastructure and sea defences caused by the winter storms.
Delivered two weeks ahead of schedule, Network Rail's work involved removing 40 tonnes of debris and reinstating 6,000 pieces of 'rock armour' that form the sea protection. More than 1,000 sleepers, 2,500 tonnes of ballast and 1,400 metres of track were also installed to enable passenger trains to resume once more.
To boost rail travel, Arriva Trains Wales will be reducing some of the local fares on the line by 30% this summer.
Mark Langman, Network Rail's route managing director for Wales, said: “The scale of damage across the Cambrian Coast following the storms was unprecedented. There were multiple breaches of the sea defences and major damage to the railway infrastructure.
“I know how important the line is to the local economy and we were determined to re-open the line as soon as it was safe to do so. We’ve had great support from the communities along the line and I’d like to thank them for their patience while the work has been carried out.”
Graeme Tandy, Network Rail route delivery director, said: "Our engineers have done a great job and I’m really pleased that we’re ready to re-open two weeks before the original estimate. The team tasked with repairing the damage have worked tirelessly. It’s been a tremendous effort and I’d like to praise all of the Network Rail team, as well as the contractor, Alun Griffiths Ltd.”
Ben Davies, stakeholder liaison manager for Arriva Trains Wales, said: "We welcome the reopening of this section of the line and are delighted that it is an important step forward to the whole of the Cambrian Coast line reopening later on in the summer.
"We would specifically like to thank the pupils, parents and staff at Ysgol Ardudwy for their patience and assistance with the logistics of the bus replacement service that has been ferrying around 200 of their pupils to and from school. In addition, we hope the summer promotional fares will be an extra encouragement for everyone in the area to use the newly rebuilt line and help boost tourism."
The railway had been closed since the ferocious winter storms caused widespread damage along the line in early January. One of the worst affected sites was at Llanaber, north of Barmouth, where the storms and tidal surges had severely damaged the infrastructure.
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