Llanfarian homeowners have warned they are facing a “serious hit” even if plans to reinstate the railway between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen never go ahead.

They have spoken out after a route that would use their gardens was put forward in a feasibility study.

While there has been support for the possibility of the reinstatement of the railway line, the route put forward by consultants Mott McDonald would see residents on the north side of Lôn Tyllwyd in Llanfarian lose their gardens to enable the line to be put in place.

That has sparked fears that residents are already facing “blight” after alternative routes were ruled out in the study.

Glyn Ivens, one of the residents who would be affected, said: “Many of our properties appear to be seriously threatened by the possible reinstating of the railway.

"The proposed route goes right through the gardens of those of us living on the north side of Lôn Tyllwyd, with the actual rail track just a few yards from our houses.

“Even if the railway is never built, those of us living in Lôn Tyllwyd, particularly on the north side, have already probably taken a serious hit.

“Would you want to buy a house with even the chance of a railway being built through the garden a few yards from the house? Regardless of whether or not this railway is ever rebuilt, realistically it would now be extremely difficult for us to sell up or move.

"We are blighted; effectively stuck in limbo until a decision is made, or the line rerouted.”

The reinstatement of the line, which would cost an estimated £775m, is being backed by campaigners and Ben Lake MP and Elin Jones AM.

See this week’s Aberystwyth paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now