Plans to extend a heritage railway line into the centre of Bala are steaming ahead.

Bala Lake Railway Trust is working closely with Natural Resources Wales on a plan that would see the railway line extend into the town centre.

In November, the Cambrian News learned that the BLRT had purchased land from Bala Rugby Club. This was a step towards the plan is to rebuild Bala Station over half a mile away in the centre of the town.

On Tuesday, 17 December two drop-in sessions were held by NRW at Penllyn Leisure Centre. Julian Birley, the chairman of the BLRT, was also in attendance.

The sessions gave people the chance to discuss the plans to protect the lake, alterations to the railway and how the two projects can be carried out with as little disruption as possible to the people of Bala.

Mr Birley told the Cambrian News about the drop in sessions and how the project is moving forward.

He said: “I have been involved with capital projects for heritage railways around the UK for over 20 years. Never have I come across such unanimous and enthusiastic support for a project such as us extending the railway into the town.”

Mr Birley added that the project has received plenty of support from within Bala and further afield.

He said: “Our MP Liz Saville Roberts visited us just prior to the election.

“She showed great support for us saying the railway going into Bala will have more of an impact on the town and businesses than the Welsh Highland arriving in Carnarfon as Bala has no castle.

Sian Williams, head of north west Wales operations for NRW said: “We’ve been working with people locally over the last 18 months to explore ideas for mitigation and wider community opportunities that can be developed alongside the lake safety works.

“The huge environmental value of the area and its importance to the local community, for recreation and tourism will be fully considered throughout the scheme to its completion.”

The next step for the project is to secure planning permission in the new year, something which both NRW and BLRT are working hard towards.