Traeth Mawr Viaduct gets £1.85m investment to improve resilience on Cambrian Line

Network Rail is helping to improve the resilience of the Cambrian Line with a £1.85m project to restore Traeth Mawr Viaduct with work due to begin Saturday 13 February.

Engineers will replace timbers on the rail over river viaduct during a nine-day closure of the Cambrian Line from 13 to 21 of February. Transport for Wales will be running rail replacement services during the work and those who need to travel are advised to plan ahead and allow additional time.

Network Rail is carrying out a number of projects on the Cambrian Line to improve resilience, including the £25m restoration of Barmouth Viaduct.

Bill Kelly, route director for Network Rail Wales and Borders, said:

“2021 is an exciting year for investment in the Cambrian Line. We will shortly begin refurbishing Traeth Mawr Viaduct, which connects Porthmadog and Minffordd.

“Our £1.85m project to replace timber elements on the viaduct will allow us to continue providing a safe, reliable and resilient railway for many years to come.

“This project can help to prevent future periods of unplanned work, minimising disruption for passengers and reducing maintenance costs to the taxpayer.”

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said:

“It’s great to see Network Rail continuing to make progress in restoring historic structures on the Cambrian Coast Line and safeguarding its future, following Network Rail’s ongoing work to restore Barmouth Bridge. This investment sits alongside our own investment in transforming services throughout the Wales and Borders network, including brand new trains for the Cambrian Coast Line in the years to come.

“We’re working collaboratively to ensure minimal disruption for our passengers making essential journeys while work is taking place. As our services will be affected, it’s important for anyone travelling on the Cambrian Line to check before you travel. You can do this on the TfW Rail website www.tfwrail.wales or the TfW app.”

Gwynedd Councillor Eryl Jones-Williams, the chair of the Cambrian Coast railway forum, said:

“The Cambrian Line is one of the most beautiful routes in the country, as well as being an important transport link for our communities and I welcome the investment in the railway. When the time comes for people to travel again, the Cambrian Line will continue to be vitally important for the economy, tourists and local people.” 

The viaduct has 16 spans and is located next to the Porthmadog Bypass (A487) over the Afon Glaslyn. It is one of nine timber viaducts on the Welsh railway, with Barmouth Viaduct being the biggest.

Network Rail expect to return to carry out further work on Traeth Mawr Viaduct, which is likely to take place in 2022 or 2023.

Photo credit: Network Rail