WORK on a new road access to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s Boston Lodge Works is set to begin this February.

The existing access driveway at the Meirionnydd end of the Cob Embankment is currently narrow and subsidence means it is in urgent need of replacement.

General manager Paul Lewin said: “The road access to our workshop is very old and sited on what was the seashore before the Cob was built.

“The roadway has survived remarkably well over the years, but storm damage a few years ago uprooted some large trees disturbing the stability of the road and drains in the area.

“Since then retaining walls have also fallen in places and other large trees are leaning.

“Recent heavy rains have no helped.

“Without the access road the works and the railway would quickly grind to halt.”

The new access ramp, parallel to the old one, is being constructed over four weeks in February and March and represents the first phase of a major investment in this world-famous railway workshop – the oldest still operating in the world which is hoped to secure jobs for the future.

Site clearance is expected to begin in the coming weeks which will see numerous new oak trees planted. The original access ramp will remain in use as part of the Wales Coastal Path.”

Mr Lewin added: “We take our environmental responsibilities seriously, in particular the environment surrounding the railway which we are committed to maintaining and improving.

“This has included purchasing small parcels of land adjacent to the line with conversation in mind.”