Landmark breakthrough for Bala Lake extension

PLANS to give the Bala Lake Railway a town centre presence took a major step forward on May 19, when Natural Resources Wales (NRW) was granted planning permission by Snowdonia National Park Authority to upgrade the flood defences around Bala.

NRW has been a great support to the railway, agreeing to design and incorporate the additional civil engineering required for the railway to be laid on top of the defences along the lake’s north shore.

As a result of a successful fundraising campaign, the Bala Lake Railway Trust is now able to enter into an agreement with NRW to pay for the additional engineering work – with the turning of the first sod towards the end of this year.

Demonstration

This work will cover nearly a third of the extension, for which the trust will imminently be submitting the application for planning permission for the entire 1300 yards.

To further celebrate the progress of the extension, 56 years after the last steam locomotive was seen in the town, on June 12/13, Quarry Hunslet 0-4-0ST No. 364 of 1885 Winifred will be running a demonstration train at the proposed new Bala terminus station site close to the town centre. There will also be a miniature railway, displays of cars, and guided walks along the route of the proposed extension.

See also News, page 36.