As part of its plans to increase passenger services along the North Wales Coast, Network Rail has submitted proposals to close two level crossings at Pensarn near Abergele to enhance public safety.

The crossings are Pen Uchaf and Ty Gwyn footpath crossings in Pensarn.

The proposals show them being replaced by a ramped footbridge over the railway. Before Network Rail proceeds with its proposals, it will hold a public consultation between 4:30 pm and 7.30 pm next Wednesday, 26th February, at Abergele Town Council offices in Llanddulas Road, Abergele, LL22 7BT.

The need to replace the crossings with footbridges is because Network Rail, in collaboration with Transport for Wales, wishes to improve passenger services along the North Wales Coast as part of the Welsh Government’s £800 million investment in a new train fleet.

So that the number of services can be increased safely, Network Rail reviewed the level crossings on the line and the risks they pose to the public and found that Ty Gwyn and Pen Uchaf are among the crossings with the highest risk to public safety on the Wales and Borders network.

During their review, Network Rail found that in the last two years, the two crossings accounted for six reports of near-misses and 14 incidents of misuse on both crossings. They were also the scene of two fatalities in 2019.

In August 2024, Ken Skates MS, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales announced a proposal to increase capacity along the line by 40 per cent accompanied by a 50 per cent increase in timetabled services in 2026. Trains along the line travel up to 90 miles per hour, and the crossings pose a risk to the local community as they are used by dog walkers, families, and holidaymakers, to cross the line.

Although investment in the railway will bring significant social and economic advantages to the local area and to North Wales, the additional services will increase the safety risk at the crossings, which is why there is a proposal to close them permanently and provide a safer way for people to cross over the railway.

Abergele & Pensarn is one of the railway stations in Wales where unused space has been revamped for use by businesses or community schemes. It is also one of the stations across Wales and the Borders where Transport for Wales has installed life-saving equipment defibrillators on its stations.

“We know how important it is for the public to have suitable crossing points, however, safety has to be the first consideration. Many crossings have been around for a very long time but are no longer fit for purpose with the speed and frequency of trains using the network. Working with Network Rail, we fully support the work being done to improve safety along the North Wales coast and the mitigations currently under consideration. By delivering this work, it will allow for an uplift in rail services along the North Wales coast, which will have massive benefits to the local economy and improve access to key tourist locations and educational establishments along the route.”

Colin Lea, Transport for Wales planning and performance director