Anglesey railway track clear-up brings Gaerwen-Amlwch reopening closer

Volunteers clearing the overgrown track between Gaerwen and Amlwch in Anglesey

A clear-up of disused tracks on Anglesey will bring plans by railway enthusiasts to open a line between Gaerwen and Amlwch a step closer.

The Anglesey Central Railway company wants to secure a lease from Network Rail to allow it to access grants to reopen the line.

Meanwhile, Network Rail carried out a feasibility study on the Llangefni to Gaerwen line.

It shut in 1964 but remained in use for chemical freight until the early 1990s.

Anglesey Central Railway chairman Walter Glyn Davies said the clear-up of the Gaerwen to Amlwch section was an historic occasion.

"It has been incredibly difficult for us to reach this point, but opening this line would bring economic benefit to the island," he said.

The plan is backed by supporters Cwmni Lein Amlwch (Amlwch Line Company).

Richard Hughes Jones from the company said the dream was to get trains back in Amlwch, and there was confidence the money could be found to do this.

"As it is, in the preservation world at the moment there are a lot of trains available, and people who want to drive diesel and steam engines, and this would provide a place for that to happen," he said.

Mr Jones, formerly a professional train driver, pointed to the success of other preservation railways in Wales and beyond to illustrate the boost to the economy he believes reopening the track would provide.

He added: "It would be fantastic for the island if this line reopened.

"This is where I used to watch trains as a child. Some people don't understand it, but it's like having an interest in fishing, cars, football, even - it's something in the blood," he added.

'Boost economy'

The clear-up is being organised by a charity, Groundwork in Wales, which is looking for volunteers to carry on the work which will continue for 12 months from June onwards.

"This provides local people with an opportunity to do something which will boost the local economy," said Tom Edwards from the charity.

"No skills are required as training will be given, and we'll even help with the skills needed to move on to paid work later," he added.

Last year Network Rail said it was looking at restoring services on the disused Amlwch branch line after a request from the Welsh Government.

The 4.5m (7.2km) line between Llangefni and Gaerwen shut in 1964 but remained in use for chemical freight until the early 1990s.