Heritage Railway

Renewed push for Anglesey revival

-

ANGLESEY'S disused Amlwch to Gaerwen branch, long a target for revivalist­s Lein Amlwch, will be placed under the microscope by the Restoring Your Railways Fund.

On April 29, Network Rail Infrastruc­ture Ltd granted Anglesey Central Railway Ltd (Lein Amlwch) a 99-year lease for the whole length of the line, and its volunteers have been clearing vegetation.

Now Ynys Môn MP Virginia Crosbie has secured £100,000 to fund a feasibilit­y study into options for developing the 14¾-mile line which closed to passengers in 1963 under the Beeching Axe, with some freight continuing until 1993. The bid will be matched by the Welsh

Government to make up the total amount.

Light rail option

Options to be considered by the study include running convention­al trains on the line, a light rail alternativ­e, or converting it into a cycle and walking route, linking up with the Anglesey Coastal Path.

Mrs Crosbie, who also met with Transport Minister Chris Heaton-Harris to persuade him to back the bid, said: “For too long this disused line has been in the sidings, but this cash injection to look at options for its future will put it back on track. I look forward to reading the feasibilit­y study and its conclusion­s.”

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom