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Friday 27 Nov 2009

CONWY VALLEY RAIL LINE TO REOPEN ON MONDAY

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

The Conwy Valley railway line, closed owing to flooding, is scheduled to reopen to passengers on Monday, 30 November.

With the flood water receding, Network Rail’s divers are now able to go into the river to carry out safety inspection of five railway bridges. 

Plans are also afoot to invest nearly £1m over the next two years to improve and strengthen the estuarial defence between Glan Conwy and Dolgarrog, the tunnel at Ffestiniog and the track along the route.  Once completed, the infrastructure will become more reliable and even more resilient against flood damage.

Mark Langman, area general manager, Network Rail, said, “We ploughed all our effort into rescuing the line as soon the flooding occurred.  While we were able to carry out the bulk of the repair very quickly, our work to inspect the structures under the river was seriously hampered by the rising flood water.    

“We will continue to work hard in the next two days and providing the weather remains stable, normal train service will operate from the start of the day on Monday.  We wish to thank passengers for their patience while the emergency work was being carried out.”

The 27 mile long Conwy Valley branch line runs adjacent to river Conwy, passing through Snowdonia.  The topography of the area combined with the extreme weather condition has caused the branch line to flood.

Some ballast on around three miles of track was washed away, while bridges and culverts were also blocked by trees and debris washed down by the floods.

All the damaged track and blocked structures have now been repaired and the Network Rail has also completed examining 26 railway bridges, finding them in good condition.