THE train line at Blaenau Ffestiniog reopened today after a two-month closure due to storm damage.

The Conwy Valley train line has reopened with a reduced service, after sustaining “incredible damage” in devastating winter storms.

The major transport link restarted a reduced service on Monday, 22 February, having been closed for nearly two months following torrential rainfall just after Christmas.

The closed railway line had left residents in the Meirionnydd town feeling “isolated”.

Network Rail engineers, working with contractor Alun Griffiths Ltd, repaired over 100 separate locations of damage along the line from Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Paul McMahon, route managing director at Network Rail Wales said: “We are delighted to be able to reopen the Conwy Valley line ahead of schedule.

“The line was ravaged by the flooding that December’s record rainfall brought with significant damage across multiple locations."

Lynne Milligan, customer services director for Arriva Trains Wales said: “From Monday 22 February we will be initially operating a special timetable, with nine services operated by train and the remaining three service operated by bus, but we hope to resume a full rail service soon."

For the full story, see this week’s Cambrian News, out on Thursday