A multi-million-pound investment by Network Rail will protect the Cambrian Line from extreme flooding and passenger disruption.

The line is set to reopen during the first week in April following its forced closure after storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin caused serious damage throughout Wales over the period of just one week.

The Cambrian Line close to Welshpool was the worst affected section of the line seeing 33 track washouts over half of a mile of the railway.

Network Rail engineers have been out in action working hard to repair damage from the flooding which left gaping holes under the tracks.

Network Rail has announced extra emergency funding of £2m to protect the Cambrian Line from future extreme weather conditions.

During the next few weeks and alongside the repairs being carried out to the washed-out areas of track, Network Rail engineers will install over 5,000 tonnes of rock armour for the embankment along the railway.

Ahead of the rock armours installation, more than 10,000 tonnes of materials will need to be delivered to the site in order to create a temporary 700-metre access road.

Rock armour has been successful at tackling flooding in other areas such as Conwy Valley Line and the Marches Line near Abergavenny. When flooding occurs on a railway, the rock armour creates a barrier to prevent the ballast (the stones which hold the sleepers in position) from being washed away and slowing the water speed whilst restricting its flow. This kind of protection for the railway also means that lines can be up and running more quickly following major flooding events.

In order to reduce the effects of extreme weather on passengers, the resilience work has been accelerated so it can be carried out at the same time as the storm repairs whilst the line is closed. Further work will also take place over the next few weeks such as the refurbishment of culverts (drainage under the tracks) renewal of tracks and the planting of more hedgerows that will support nesting birds and small mammals.

Rail replacement buses will remain in operation from Shrewsbury to Newton with train services set to start at Newtown for passengers travelling further west.

Passengers can check their journeys via: https://www.journeycheck.com/tfwrail/

Bill Kelly, Wales & Borders route director at Network Rail said:

“Climate change is happening here and now so building a more resilient railway for Wales & Borders is a top priority.

“We know the Cambrian Line is a social and economic lifeline for the communities it serves. Building on our work to raise black bridge near Machynlleth and our £30m investment at Barmouth Viaduct – we’re committed to protecting the future of this vital transport link.
“I’d like to thank passengers and the local community for their patience. Our teams are working day and night to get this work completed as quickly and safely as possible.”

Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde, Managing Director of Transport for Wales, said:

“We welcome Network Rail’s announcement of an additional £2m of funding to enhance protection for the Cambrian Line.

“We understand disruption caused by storm damage, although beyond our control, is incredibly frustrating for our customers so we are grateful to Network Rail for completing this repair work as quickly as possible and for carrying out further work to protect the line in the future.

“Once again we would like to thank our customers for their understanding while this work is taking place.”

Ann Elias, Strategic Transport Manager at Growing Mid Wales Partnership said:

“Following the extensive flooding in the Severn Valley over recent weeks, which resulted in the closure of the Cambrian Line, I welcome the news that, not only are the works being undertaken to re-open the line but, there will also be a significant package of resilience works – because the long term resilience of this strategic transport corridor is vital for our communities”.