Train services have resumed on the Conwy Valley line following a £1.4 million programme designed to improve the railway’s resilience during extreme weather. The line between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno Junction reopened to passengers on Monday 27 October, after four weeks of intensive work by Network Rail engineers and specialist contractors.

Over the past month, teams removed high-risk trees and cleared 600,000m² of vegetation along 54 miles of track, reducing the risk of line blockages caused by fallen trees during future storms. Engineers also created a new safe walkway for railway staff and carried out safety and infrastructure upgrades to bring the route up to modern standards.

In a Welsh first, Network Rail trialled a new rail treatment on the Conwy Valley line using a road-to-rail vehicle to apply a gel solution developed with Interflon and Irish Rail. The coating breaks down leaf contamination, remains effective for up to seven days, and reactivates with rain, improving rail conditions in areas where traditional treatment trains cannot operate.

The Conwy Valley line, renowned for its scenic views, is also highly exposed to the elements. In the past decade, storms have forced the line to close for over 500 days, disrupting passenger travel and freight transport. The recent upgrades are part of a broader initiative by Network Rail and Transport for Wales to future-proof the railway against climate change.

Nick Millington, route director at Network Rail Wales & Borders, said: “We’re extremely pleased to have completed this major piece of resilience work and reopened the Conwy Valley line to passengers on time. These improvements will make a real difference to the reliability of services during the autumn and winter months, protecting the line from future storm damage and keeping communities connected across North Wales.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales, added: “We’d like to thank passengers and local residents for their patience while this essential work was carried out. The Conwy Valley line is a vital link for the communities of Conwy, and this investment means it’s now better prepared to withstand the challenges of severe weather in the years ahead.”

Image: Network Rail