The Cambrian Line is planned to reopen by the first week of April, after three major storms in the space of a week forced its closure in February. 

Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin caused severe damage across Wales. On the railway, a section of the Cambrian Line, near Welshpool, which was hit hardest, with 33 track washouts over a half mile stretch of the railway.  

The flooding left gaping holes beneath the tracks, which Network Rail engineers have been working hard to repair, so trains can safely run again.  

Network Rail has announced an additional £2m emergency funding to protect this section of the railway from extreme weather events in the future. Over the next few weeks, as well as repairing damage from the washouts, engineers will install more than 5,000 tonnes of rock armour on the embankment, alongside the railway.  

Bill Kelly, Wales & Borders route director, Network Rail, said: 

“We know the Cambrian Line is a social and economic lifeline for the communities it serves. Building on our work to raise black bridge near Machynlleth and our £30m investment at Barmouth Viaduct - we're committed to protecting the future of this vital transport link. 

Jan Chaudhry-Van der Velde, Managing Director of Transport for Wales, said: 

“We understand disruption caused by storm damage, although beyond our control, is incredibly frustrating for our customers so we are grateful to Network Rail for completing this repair work as quickly as possible and for carrying out further work to protect the line in the future.”