North Wales lakeside railway extension secures £4m planning approval

The Bala Lake Railway Trust has secured planning permission for its £4 million extension into Bala town centre, paving the way for a tourism boost in the heart of Snowdonia National Park.

The ambitious ‘Red Dragon Project,’ which aims to extend the nine-mile heritage railway alongside Bala Lake, promises significant economic benefits, including an estimated £420,000 annual growth and the creation of 20 new jobs in the local tourism sector.

A decade in the making, this breakthrough comes after a setback in 2022 when initial planning permission was denied. Undeterred, the Trust revised and resubmitted its application with support from Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS), which provided £36,725 in socio-economic funding to update technical reports and surveys.

Tom Williams, Site Director at NRS Trawsfynydd, highlighted the project’s transformative potential:

“We are committed to fostering growth, driving transformation, and ensuring sustainability. Our support for the Bala Lake Railway Trust’s Red Dragon Project exemplifies our dedication to socio-economic development. We are proud to contribute to a project that not only preserves heritage but also promises £420,000 annual economic growth and the creation of 20 new jobs in the region’s vital tourism sector.”

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), of which NRS is a part, has invested over £60 million in socio-economic projects across the UK in recent years, leveraging additional funding to support sustainable development.

A Thriving Heritage Railway

Toby Watkins, Trustee for Bala Lake Railway, expressed gratitude for NRS’s involvement:

“The value of the generous help and support from NRS cannot be underestimated. We are extremely grateful to them for their faith in us and their understanding of the huge socio-economic impact of our project.”

Toby added that the Trust is now ready to begin the construction phase, bringing the dream of extending the railway into Bala town closer to reality.

The extension is expected to increase visitor numbers and enhance Bala’s appeal as a tourist destination, complementing the natural beauty of Snowdonia National Park.

With planning approval secured, the Trust will focus on funding the construction phase, marking another step towards revitalising the region’s heritage and economy.