Llangollen Railway Trust’s Deeside Halt closed to services – for now

THE Llangollen Railway Trust has closed Deeside Halt after it was found to be in need of remedial work.

The halt and run-round loop was opened in 1991 when Deeside was the railway’s temporary terminus ahead of extending to GlyndyfrwdWy.

However, a pre-season inspection of the western end loop points found them to be out of gauge. The loop has not been used for two years and its position when services are running to Corwen mean it is only likely to see occasional use in the future.

In a bid to consolidate finances, the trust decided to plane line the points.

The eastern end points and loop road are being retained as a siding.

During this work, the platform, constructed in the early 1990s from timber and ash, was found to be creeping towards the running line due to rotting of the supporting timbers. With the priority to be able to operate the railway safely and only the occasional passenger using the halt in this isolated location, the decision was taken to remove the platform. The signalbox and unusual ex-London Transport colour light signalling are being mothballed.

It is planned to reinstate both the loop and platform when time and funds allow, said a trust spokesman.