Madam,

Your readers will have heard, with pleasure, the decision of Gwynedd Council to maintain the pedestrian Barmouth bridge over the Mawddach estuary.Prior to this decision being taken and as part of their review of the need for financial austerity measures, Arriva Trains Wales had prepared a feasibility plan to provide a rail-based shuttle service in an open-top carriage for pedestrians and pedal cyclists, in the event of the pedestrian bridge being closed. The service would have been co-ordinated with the scheduled train service between Morfa Mawddach and Barmouth, with fares etc being administered at Barmouth station.Arriva Trains Wales are proud to have planned for the possible closure of the pedestrian bridge. We view it as a measure of our commitment to the local community and visitors to the area, in order that they can continue to enjoy the iconic view up the Mawddach estuary.

Yours etc

Avril Johanson

Customer relations adviser

Arriva Trains Wales.