Call for Welsh Government support for crisis-hit railway

Following news that Llangollen Railway PLC is to go into receivership, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has raised its plight in the Welsh Parliament and called for a government statement on support for the attraction.

Mr Isherwood, who has long championed the work of Llangollen Railway and worked with them over many years, said: “The directors of this wonderful Welsh standard-gauge heritage railway announced last week that they have taken the reluctant step of inviting their bank to appoint a receiver.

“The Trust Board stated it will need to take steps to negotiate with the receiver to try to secure the line and preserve rolling stock and infrastructure to the greatest extent possible. 

"It is intended to recommence operations in due course, but this is dependent upon legal and regulatory approvals, including licensing, all of which will clearly take time, it added.

“The impact this will have on their staff, volunteers, customers, suppliers, locomotive owners and their organisations, and anyone else with connections to the railway, is potentially serious, as is the wider impact on the visitor economy in Llangollen and throughout the Dee Valley.

“I have therefore been asked to raise this in the Welsh Parliament and alert the First Minister, and request a Welsh Government statement accordingly.”

In her response the Tefnydd, Rebecca Evans MS, told Mr Isherwood to write to the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, which he said he will now be doing.