A STORY in the Chronicle which reported on proposals to bring the Amlwch to Gaerwen railway line on Anglesey back into use, has generated a storm of controversy on social media.

There have been numerous comments both for and against the proposals on the Chronicle Facebook page.

The story reported a group has been set up which plans to put together a proposal for the disused track. It is chaired by Virginia Crosbie, MP for Anglesey, and includes representatives from the Menter Môn social enterprise, Welsh Government, Transport for Wales and Anglesey County Council.

Originally known as the Anglesey Central Railway, the closed line extends north almost 18 miles from the North Wales main line at Gaerwen through Llangefni to Amlwch. The railway's tracks remain in place. The line was opened in 1867, passenger services stopped in 1964 but freight traffic continued until 1993.

A number of Facebook respondents thought the route should be used as a cycle track and bridleway.

One said: “I thought I'd heard there were plans for a cycleway on the trackbed, is that at the side of the railway or instead of?”

Another commented: “What a waste of money, turn it onto a walk, bridal path then its going to benefit the locals, help reduce our carbon footprint and help the locals by giving us something for us to enjoy for free and enjoy the country side.”

A further comment urged consideration of other issues: “It would be nice to see Virginia also address some of the other more pressing issues which Ynys Mon is currently facing. Like Holyhead Port, lorries, post Brexit chaos. I'm not anti railway but this should be reported in addition to the really urgent stuff (on which there appears to be radio silence)."

“Only one option, a traffic free multi use path,” stated another.

“Utterly stupid and unsustainable idea. It should be a multi purpose path for walking cycling and horses. They will never get a train on there and nobody would use the train.”

The proposal was thought to be practical by some respondents and would bring economic benefits to the area. It would provide a passenger service between Amlwch and the main line at Gaerwen and be an attraction for tourists providing an influx of cash to the area.

One respondent thought it would bring employment: “I think it is a good idea. Job creation (albeit short-term) and distribution of a little wealth into local economies.”

Another added: “Great idea we need railways running again I'm sure the locals would like and appreciate the trains to be used for their purpose.”

The condition of the line was commented on: “The line has been used for freight until 1993, track is in very good condition so it can be done.”

Action on the line was urged: “Turn it into a railway, add on a cycle path, use it as an alternative to stacking lorries on the A55…frankly I don’t care what It’s used for but isn’t it time to stop arguing about it and just encourage someone who has found a bit of funding in the Restore Your Railways scheme and wants to crack on? Lein Amlwch has been unused for, what, 30 years? And its future has been argued about ever since it closed. Anglesey Council proposed multi-use for the line nearly 20 years ago and it has gone nowhere.”