Light At The End Of The Tunnel – Work Nears Completion On Lôn Las Ogwen Path

Local residents and representatives have this week had a sneak-preview on an 800 metre long section of Lôn Las Ogwen which will open to the public in the coming weeks. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The multi-user path which will run along a stretch of the old railway tunnel between Bethesda and Tregarth is known locally as ‘Tynal Tywyll’ (dark tunnel). Members of the Tregarth-based Welsh music group from the early 1990s named after the tunnel, along with local AM Sian Gwenllian were amongst those in attendance to see how the work is progressing. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Dafydd Meurig, local member for the Arllechwedd ward and Cabinet Member for transport matters on Gwynedd Council said: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I was delighted to see the work nearing completion. When it opens to the public in the near future, the Tynal Tywyll section will complete the Lon Las Ogwen route between Bangor and Bethesda. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“After closing the railway almost 60 years ago, the tunnel and viaduct and their special construction have been closed off to the public. But this important project is breathing new life into an important local construction, and I look forward to seeing walkers and cyclists making use of the tunnel in its newest form.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Gwen Griffith, who represents Tregarth on Gwynedd Council added: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“There has been real desire locally to see the tunnel reopening and we’re very pleased that the work is coming along on the project. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“When it opens, I’m certain that this section will be one of the best in Wales, and will be an important step in improving transport links for those wishing to enjoy the Dyffryn Ogwen area on food and on their bikes.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The new section, which has been supported with funding by Gwynedd Council and the Welsh Government is expected to open to the public in the near future. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Following the completion of the work it will be possible to travel along the old railway tunnel between Tregarth and Bethesda without having to follow the main road and traffic. This will make it much easier and safer for people of all ages to walk or cycle between villages. It will also make the journey to work from Dyffryn Ogwen to Bangor area more convenient and will be an attraction for tourists too, and will be an extra boost to local businesses. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​