The Bala Lake Railway Trust has released some aerial photographs showing the progress being made in extending the Bala Lake Railway to a station in the town of Bala.
Natural Resources Wales is carrying out the civil engineering work on the railway's behalf whilst they are undertaking work on flood defences, which will soon be finished. To fund the work, the railway raised £277,000 from its amazing supporters, for which they are very grateful.
The railway currently runs for 4½ miles from Llanuwchllyn to Pen-y-Bont station, which is about ½-mile outside the town of Bala. A 1,200m extension of the line will diverge from the existing line at Pen-y-Bont station, cross the B4403 and the River Dee, then follow the foreshore of Bala Lake and turn inland to terminate at the new Bala Town station.
The biggest challenge is in crossing the B4403 and the River Dee. A passing loop and platform will be constructed on part of the current Pen-y-Bont and a new level crossing will be constructed across the B4403. To avoid constructing a new bridge, it is hoped to share with the road across the River Dee on the existing B4391 bridge.
The proposal to share the B4391 bridge whilst retaining the existing two-lane carriageway was put forward during a meeting between the Trust and Gwynedd County Council Highways Department, and both parties are now working to reach a formal agreement.
Before and track can be laid on the new formation planning permission will be required. The railway has acquired much of the land needed for the route and has worked with local consultants to prepare and submit a planning application.
The planning application process turned out to be very challenging, demanding, and time-consuming, and cost much more than originally estimated. However, all requirements have now been fulfilled so the railway hopes the Snowdonia National Park will determine and grant it permission early next year.
Once planning approval has been granted, the railway will launch a general appeal to fund the next stages of the line's development. Although supporters' donations at this crucial stage are helping enormously, the railway expresses its hope that people will continue to support the dream that is now becoming a reality.
You can donate towards the extension via the Bala Lake Railway Trust website.
A film of the railway is now available on RailAdvent Plus.
