Trains are set to run again from Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog on the Conwy Valley Line.

From the 28th September, the line will be open after a £2.2m investment for repairs and protection from future flooding.

In the past two years, the line has been washed away due to flooding and has led to long closures of the line.

Sixteen thousand tonnes of rock armour have been placed along a 2km section of the line by Network Rail between Tal y Cafn and Llanrwst.

The rock armour is designed to slow down floodwater, which washes away the railway embankment. Once washed away the line is left suspended in the air and leads to long closures as repairs are made.

The works have already been tested during Storm Francis in August as the area was flooded again, but the railway was not damaged.

Driver refresher training is taking place ahead of the reopening, and final maintenance tasks are being completed along the line.

A rail replacement bus has been in operation while the line was closed.

Bill Kelly, Network Rail’s route director for Wales and Borders, said: “I am delighted that the Conwy Valley Line is now better protected as extreme weather has forced it to be closed too often in recent years.

“We have worked around the clock in recent months to not just repair the line, but to make it more resilient so we can help to prevent these long closures in the future.

“I would like to thank passengers and the communities we serve along the line for their patience as this significant investment was delivered.”

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “The Conwy Valley line is a vital link for many local communities in north Wales, and this investment will improve the resilience of that crucial route during extreme weather.

“Upgrading the railway defences will help prevent lengthy closures for passengers, avoid frustrating rail replacement services, and deliver a more reliable timetable people can depend on.”

Martyn Brennan, operations director at Transport for Wales, said: “It is great to see our colleagues in Network Rail progressing with work on the Conwy Valley line and we will reinstate rail services on 28th September, following driver route refresher training.

“I’d like to thank customers for their patience and ask that they continue to check services online. We will continue to provide transport links using replacement buses.”

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