Network Rail has completed its refurbishment of the Severn and Carno viaduct near Caersws, Powys.

The company completed the work on Friday 19 May, together with replacing a large section of track near Newtown, enabling the Cambrian line to reopen.

The line had been closed from Friday 6 May for the work to be carried out, with passengers between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth having to rely on replacement buses.

Now the line has reopened, Transport for Wales will be going ahead with introducing new Class 197 trains on the Cambrian line.

The seventy-metre-long viaduct carries the railway over the rivers Carno and Severn where they meet. It was built in 1860, and was previously rebuilt in 1906 and 1927.

Engineers from Network Rail and contractor AmcoGiffen lifted the railway on top of the viaduct and carried out work from floating platforms (pontoons). Working in this way, they replaced three of the viaduct’s eleven spans of timber beams.

They also replaced metal straps and fixings. and carried out remedial work on the bridge.

Network Rail recycled all the viaduct’s timber that it replaced. It has donated seventeen tonnes of timber to local residents and farmers, and to a local school, which is planning to use it to build outdoor benches.

Work was also carried out to remove and replace two kilometres of track further east in Newtown, to improve the resilience of points, and to install drainage.

Network Rail will continue to work on track renewal on the Cambrian line until Friday 7 July. By carrying out this work overnight, the company will avoid causing disruption to train services.

Simon Roberts, programme manager at Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “We are delighted that we have given this 160-year-old viaduct a new lease of life. Now that it has been strengthened, there is less chance of the railway closing due to urgent repairs and passengers can enjoy a normal service ahead of the busy summer period.

“The local community have been very supportive, and it is a cherry on top that we have been able to recycle 100% of all the old timber and donate back to the community.”

Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde, Chief Operations Officer for Transport for Wales (Rail Services), commented: “This work by Network Rail will help make the railway infrastructure on the Cambrian line more resilient and improve the reliability of our passenger services. New Class 197 trains have been ordered for the line, so this investment will help clear the way for the trains to operate successfully.”

Claire Williams, Partnership Development Officer for the Cambrian Railway Partnership said: “It is wonderful to see the railway line reopen again for passengers and that the work carried out will make this spectacular line more resilient for years to come.

“We would like to thank the communities for being so patient and understanding whilst this vital restoration and reconstruction work has been taking place. We are also really pleased that local residents, farmers and schools have been able to make use of the old timber from the viaduct, a great example of sustainability.”