DETAILED plans for an extension to the Bala Lake Railway have been published as part of a pre-application planning consultation.

Local stakeholders are being urged to review and comment on the proposals which include a 0.75-mile extension to the existing railway line to start and terminate within the centre of Bala, as well as a new railway station and associated services.

The station will house a ticket office and cafe, together with meeting facilities and a function room.

This will provide an environment for local people and businesses to address the needs of the community going forward.

A planning statement prepared by Caulmert, suggests that the improvement will increase passenger numbers from 29,000 to 60,000 per year.

A survey of local and non-local users of the Bala Lake Railway has revealed strong support for the project which has been valued at £1.4m per annum, according to an economic impact assessment.

The assessment has also projected that nearly 40 new jobs would be created, including 20 FTE one-year jobs. Furthermore, the development is forecast to attract an increase of 29,000 visitors to the area annually, injecting £420,000 into the local economy.

The pre-application consultation, which is being carried out by Caulmert, will close on Monday, August 23.

Details can be found at https://www.caulmert.com/ymgynghoriadau-cyn-ymgeisio-estyniad-arfaethedig-i-reilffordd-gauge-cul-llyn-bala/

Julian Birley from The Bala Lake Railway Trust said “We are thrilled to release the detailed plans and to gather feedback from the local people who are integral to this development. We would encourage all those living and working in Bala to respond to the consultation with any queries or comments. After various delays to the development over the past 18 months, we are delighted to finally be taking this important step to improve the Bala Lake railway. The trust has a long-held ambition to extend the line and we feel confident that the proposals will be approved thanks to the range of benefits it will bring to the area and its community.”

Neil Foxall, Associate Director of Planning at Caulmert, said “We are pleased to have reached the Pre-Application Consultation stage and encourage statutory consultees, stakeholders and local residents to view the proposed development and submit their comments”.