Anglesey AM to push for new Llangefni railway bridge support

Anglesey Assembly Member Rhun ap Iorwerth has insisted he will be fully supporting Isle of Anglesey County Council and Network Rail following the removal of the old railway bridge in Llangefni last weekend.

Following the bridge’s removal on Sunday after a lorry crashed into it, Mr ap Iorwerth has said he will be raising the matter of support for a new bridge in the Assembly next week, with the hope of bringing the matter to light in First Minister’s Questions if successful in the ballot.

Prominent in the campaign for reopening the disused railway line between Gaerwen and Amlwch and linking it back up to Network Rail’s mainline, Mr ap Iorwerth insists that whilst reopening the mainline is a long-term possibility that would benefit the island’s economy, the goal in the short-term must be to install a new bridge that leaves all future avenues for use open.

Mr ap Iorwerth said:

“Following the very careless accident last weekend that led to the removal of the old railway bridge in Llangefni, I will be supporting Isle of Anglesey County Council and Network Rail in exploring the possibilities of installing a new bridge here that leaves every possible avenue open for its future use.

“Any new bridge has to be suitable for carrying trains, especially if there is any possibility of the line from Gaerwen to Amlwch reopening in the future, as having running trains on the line would be fantastic for the economy of Anglesey, but that is a matter for another day.

“I will be raising the matter of support for a new bridge in the Assembly next week, and I will be doing everything I can to help see a new bridge installed, and perhaps explore other possibilities regarding the road leading into Llangefni in the process.”