Corwen Extension news: Llangollen Railway press release

[merlodlliw]

Following the submission of the Transport and Works Order application in September 2009, to extend the popular Welsh Heritage Railway Line from Carrog to Corwen, Llangollen Railway Trust received five objections and one representation from various public and private bodies. We are pleased to announce that all but two of these have now been withdrawn, The most recent withdrawal is by Sustrans (a organisation dedicated to promoting cycling facilities). Railway Vice-Chairman, Neil Evans said, 'We hope to settle the remaining two objections, Welsh Water and the Countryside Council for Wales in the near future. The level of opposition really is quite low for a fair-sized project of this sort and none of the objectors are opposed in principle to the Extension'.

The Project's team, Vice Presidents Gordon Heddon and Bill Shakespeare, with Vice-chairman Neil Evans, who have done much work on the project said, 'Residents, businesses and others all stand to benefit from the scheme and it is clear that the local community can't wait to see trains running to Corwen again after almost 50 years. The level of public support is demonstrated by the commitment shown by the railway's landlord Denbighshire County Council, whose intervention led to the withdrawal of the Sustrans objection. Sustrans wanted a shared-use path beside the line, which the Trust maintained could not be accommodated within railway land. The Trust has agreed to talks with Sustrans on the provision of improved facilities for cyclists.'

Llangollen Railway Chairman, Jim Ritchie, added, '2010 promises to be an exciting year for the Railway if (when) the Transport and Works Order is granted and we can begin the task of progressing the extension beyond Carrog towards Corwen where a new Station will be built. The project will involve the Llangollen Railway in a major cost exercise outside of any grant aid which may be secured. The Llangollen Railway Trust will be seeking donations from well-wishers and further sales of shares in the PLC to help finance this final stage in the dream which began 35 years ago, to rebuild the line ten miles westward from Llangollen.’

http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwnews.htm scroll down

 

[SWT Driver]

So when that's done, what are they going to do, head East towards Ruabon?

 

[merlodlliw]

So when that's done, what are they going to do, head East towards Ruabon?

Mores the pity, the entire track is blocked off from Llan Station heading
East, the problem is at the Bridge that also crosses the Dee.


M

 

[Spagnoletti]

Mores the pity, the entire track is blocked off from Llan Station heading
East, the problem is at the Bridge that also crosses the Dee.


M

The original arch under the Dee bridge is still there and is in fact blocked by wooden boards only, the headshunt at Llan station goes pretty much all the way under the bridge. The former trackbed on the other side has been landscaped into footpaths and further on are a car park, some flats and a motel, which constitute a more serious obstacle. I believe there is at least one bridge that would have to be reinstated in Trefor and there are properties built across the formation further east. I don't think it's going to happen unless the local councils go bonkers and throw several million pounds at a rail link from Llangollen to Ruabon.
The Corwen extension is going to cost a stack of cash and that's only about 2 miles.

 

[merlodlliw]

The original arch under the Dee bridge is still there and is in fact blocked by wooden boards only, the headshunt at Llan station goes pretty much all the way under the bridge. The former trackbed on the other side has been landscaped into footpaths and further on are a car park, some flats and a motel, which constitute a more serious obstacle. I believe there is at least one bridge that would have to be reinstated in Trefor and there are properties built across the formation further east. I don't think it's going to happen unless the local councils go bonkers and throw several million pounds at a rail link from Llangollen to Ruabon.
The Corwen extension is going to cost a stack of cash and that's only about 2 miles.

Agree its a non goer East, the bridge is the limit of track,prob for ever