A public information event will be held on Wednesday, 26 February, at Abergele Town Council offices to present plans for improving safety at two railway footpath crossings in Pensarn.

The proposal involves closing both the Pen Uchaf and Ty Gwyn footpath crossings and replacing them with a ramped footbridge over the railway line.

The initiative is part of a wider collaboration between Network Rail and Transport for Wales to enhance passenger services along the North Wales Coast. This project is supported by the Welsh Government's £800 million investment in a new train fleet, which aims to improve rail infrastructure and capacity across the region.

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The plans come in response to an August announcement by Ken Skates regarding a 40% increase in rail capacity, alongside a 50% boost in timetabled services by 2026. As part of this project, Network Rail has conducted a thorough review of the level crossings on the line and identified Pen Uchaf and Ty Gwyn as some of the highest-risk crossings on the Wales and Borders network.

In the past two years, Network Rail has recorded six near-misses and 14 incidents of misuse at these crossings, as well as two fatalities in 2019. These crossings present significant safety concerns, especially as locals—including dog walkers, families, and holidaymakers—cross while trains travel at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour.

To address these concerns and improve public safety, Network Rail is exploring the construction of an accessible ramped footbridge to replace the existing crossings. The bridge would offer a safer, more reliable route for the local community to cross the railway line.

Find out more at Abergele Town Council Offices, Llanddulas Road, Abergele, LL22 7BT on Wednesday 26 February between 4:30pm and 7.30pm.