Extra work to be undertaken on Conwy Valley rail line prior to reopening to prevent further flood damage

Extra work is set to be undertaken to protect a railway line from being washed away in flooding.

The Conwy Valley line between Tal y Cafn and Llanrwst was washed away during storms this year.

It was the second time it has occurred in recent years on a stretch of railway which runs through fields prone to flooding from the River Conwy.

In 2020 alone repairs have cost the taxpayer £1m and prevented passengers from using the line for journeys.

Whilst work continues to reopen it, Network Rail has now identified additional measures required to prevent it from happening again.

It includes adding around 20,000 tonnes of rock to just over a mile of embankment.

Bill Kelly, Network Rail’s route director for Wales and Borders, said: “The Conwy Valley Line has been hard hit by storms in recent years and we know how frustrating this has been for the passengers and local communities for whom the line is a social and economic lifeline.

“Whilst there is never a good time to close the railway, the work we are carrying out to make the railway more resilient will help to future proof the line and make it more reliable in the future for passengers.

“We know how important the Conwy Valley Line is for the local communities it serves and we would like to thank you for bearing with us once again.”

Successful repairs were carried out in 2019 to protect the line south of Llanrwst from significant damage during this year’s storms. This will now be replicated along further sections.

The work will cost around £2.2m and will extend the closure for an additional 10 weeks, however the investment is designed to mitigate the risk of longer closures in the future.

The line is expected to be reopened in September.

Local councillor Philip Evans, Chairman of the Conwy Valley Railway Partnership, said: “It makes sense to carry out the extra works whilst there are restrictions on travel generally.

“This will avoid another line closure when things are returning to normal and ensure services are not interrupted after a short restoration.”