Two key sections of railway were reopened to trains on Monday, following the successful rebuild of a viaduct in Wales and the upgrade of a tunnel in North West England.

Trains are now able to run the entire Cambrian Coast line in Wales for the first time since November 2013 following a £20M rebuild of Pont Briwet viaduct.

The line between Harlech and Pwllheli had been closed to allow removal of a 150 year old wooden bridge over the Afon Dwyryd near Llandecwyn that was replaced with a modern structure.

The project also involved line speed improvement across the new bridge. Further work was required on the Cambrian Coast earlier this year after ferocious winter storms caused widespread damage.

Network Rail route managing director for Wales Mark Langman said: “Now Gwynedd Council has completed the rail section of Pont Briwet, we are thrilled that services can now resume all the way to Pwllheli.”

In North West England a section of railway between Chorley and Leyland has also reopened after a six week closure to carry out improvements on the 113m long Chorley tunnel.

The upgrade involved lowering track through the tunnel to accommodate overhead line equipment which will power electric trains set to operate between Manchester and Preston from December 2016.

In addition 16 historic Chorley flying arches – Grade II listed structures on the approach to the tunnel – were refurbished while significant work also took place to rebuild three bridges at Harpers Lane (Chorley), Railway Road (Adlington) and Lockstock Lane (Bolton) as well as the River Chor aqueduct.

(Photo: Network Rail)

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