Train services have resumed on the Conwy Valley line after Network Rail completed a £1.4 million infrastructure programme designed to bolster the route’s reliability in the face of increasingly extreme weather.
The line, which runs between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno Junction, reopened to passengers following four weeks of intensive engineering work. Network Rail teams, supported by specialist contractors, undertook a comprehensive programme of vegetation management and infrastructure upgrades across the scenic but storm-prone valley.
Over the past month, engineers cleared 600,000m² of vegetation and removed high-risk trees along 54 miles of track. This proactive approach aims to reduce the risk of service disruption caused by fallen trees during adverse weather events.
In addition to vegetation clearance, the project delivered a new safe walkway for railway workers and implemented a series of safety and infrastructure enhancements to bring the route up to modern standards.
A notable innovation trialled during the works was a new rail treatment method—used for the first time in Wales—developed in collaboration with Interflon and Irish Rail. A road-to-rail vehicle applied a gel solution to the rails, designed to break down leaf contamination and remain effective for up to seven days. The treatment reactivates with rainfall, offering a practical solution for improving rail conditions in areas where traditional treatment trains are unable to operate.
The Conwy Valley line is renowned for its beauty but has long been vulnerable to the elements. Over the past decade, storms have forced the line to close for more than 500 days, impacting both passenger services and freight operations.
This latest investment forms part of a broader strategy by Network Rail and Transport for Wales to future-proof the railway against climate change and deliver a more dependable service for communities across North Wales.
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 credits: Network Rail
