Group to re-apply for Bala railway after proposal turned down

The Snowdonia National Park Authority’s planning group turned down plans for an extension to one of North Wales’ “great little trains” Llyn Tegid Railway, at Bala, on April 19.

Primarily, this was due to the notion that, the more tourists in Bala, the more sewage levels will rise.

The proposals called for an extension, comprising of 1,200m of railway track, installation of level crossing, erection of new station building, ancillary engine and carriage building, signal box and associated development.

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Julian Birley, chairman of the Bala Lake Railway Trust, said: “It really is not the outcome we had hoped for.

“We expected consent with a number of conditions, or to have the case deferred to allow us time to further engage with the consultees to finalise all outstanding issues, some of which had only been made aware to us with the publication of the final report.

“It was very apparent that the committee members were, in principle, in support of our project and the economic and commercial benefits it will undoubtedly bring to Bala and the surrounding area.

“However, many of them were reluctant to go against the planning officer’s recommendation and direction.

“Some members argued vigorously in the railway’s favour but it was not enough to carry the majority and the application was refused.”

The group said its volunteers have been working on these proposals for more than nine years, but said it would make a fresh application in due course.

More than £1.4million has been spent on land acquisition and drawing up plans for the project.

A further statement from the group added: “It is not over… we are going to apply again, and the town of Bala will get its railway.

“That day of a train arriving back into Bala will happen. But, in keeping with the nation’s railways, it has been delayed.”