Railway upgrade is on track

Aug 7 2008 by Gwenno Gwilym, North Wales Weekly News

A CAMPAIGN to upgrade a scenic railway is gaining momentum after Cyngor Gwynedd pledged its unanimous support last week.

A call to improve the Conwy Valley railway, which has already received full backing from Ffestiniog Town Council and the board of Gwynedd County Council, is asking the Welsh Assembly to provide the long awaited funding to upgrade the railway line from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llandudno Junction.

The council will now call on the Assembly’s deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones to make the upgrading a priority under the Freight Facility Grant programme.

Blaenau Ffestiniog councillor Gwilym Euros Roberts, who has led the campaign, said: “There are millions of tonnes of slate waste in Blaenau Ffestiniog ready for Europe-wide road building and construction markets but it’s vital that the Conwy Valley railway line, which runs between the town and the main line connection in Llandudno Junction, is given the necessary funding in order to make it compatible with the necessary transporting needs of any such venture.”

It is estimated that upgrading the Conwy Valley line would cost between £19m-£26m and create 50 new jobs in Blaenau Ffestiniog. The significant economic and environmental improvements to the town as a result of the development are estimated to be worth over £43m.

Cllr Roberts added: “I’m extremely happy that every political group on the council unanimously supported my motion.

“The ball is now in Ieuan Wyn Jones’ court. I will write to Mr Jones asking for a meeting to discuss this potential economic lifeline to the Blaenau area as soon as the summer recess is over.

“Now Ffestiniog town council and Gwynedd council have supported my call, I hope the Assembly will act.”