Boston Lodge Works set for redevelopment this winter

This February will see the reconstruction of the road access to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway's Boston Lodge Works at the Merioneth end of the Cob Embankment. The existing access driveway is narrow and subsidence means it is in urgent need of replacement.

Boston Lodge is a major local employer, with a staff of 40 from across Gwynedd, augmented by a large volunteer workforce creating many additional indirect jobs in the area, especially in the accommodation and hospitality sectors.

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 not helped. Without the access road the works and the railway would quickly grind to halt."

Working with Ymgynghoriaeth Gwynedd Consultancy, a 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 - securing jobs for this and future generations.

Site clearance will begin shortly, which will involve the essential felling of a number of trees on the unstable embankment between the A497 and the railway. The planned works included a replanting scheme which will see numerous new oak trees planted and, in a few years' time, it will be hard to see where the new works have taken place. The original access ramp will remain in use as part of the Wales Coast Path.

"We take our environmental responsibilities seriously, in particular the environment surrounding the railway which we are committed to maintaining and improving,” added Mr Lewin. “This has included purchasing small parcels of land adjacent to the line with conservation in mind."

In 2015 the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway Trust purchased two fields in Minffordd, between the main A497 road and the railway line. The land came up for sale last year and the ralway was keen to ensure that these retained their traditional use both as an attractive open space and as a spring meadow and grazing rather than seeing it go for housing development and spoiling the environment of the village.

Again, a comprehensive environmental programme is being put in place to preserve this attractive area and its mature trees for the enjoyment of future generations.

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For further information contact Andrew Thomas on 01766 516072 or at athomas@ffwhr.com

Notes to Editors:

January and February is traditionally the time when major civil engineering projects are undertaken on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. Such projects are almost impossible to complete successfully while an intensive timetable is in operation. As part of those works it is essential that a number of mature trees are removed, many of which are in poor condition and at risk of falling, damaging both the railway and its boundary fences. The railway is currently planning an extensive tree management and replanting programme along the whole 40 miles of its route.