New Pont Briwet rail bridge over Dwyryd estuary opens

A new Pont Briwet bridge carrying the Cambrian Coast railway line over the Dwyryd estuary has finally opened after being hit by delays.

It replaces the 154-year-old bridge in Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, which was shut over safety concerns.

The £20m bridge provides a vital rail link for communities between Harlech and Pwllheli.

However, a two-lane road a cycle path on the bridge will not open until next year.

Work will begin on the road bridge once the old one is demolished.

Mark Langman, Network Rail's route managing director for Wales, said: "It has been a tough year on the Cambrian Line with the damage caused by the storms in January.

"I was grateful for the support we had in communities like Barmouth, Harlech and Tywyn during our efforts to re-open the lower section of the line following the unprecedented storm damage earlier this year.

"Now Gwynedd council has completed the rail-section of Pont Briwet, we are thrilled that services can now resume all the way to Pwllheli."

Scheduled passengers services have begun using the new rail bridge