Deganwy residents win 10-year fight against closure of railway crossing

The 20-foot crossing at the bottom of Ty Mawr Road leads to the Coastal Path towards Conwy and prevents residents having to walk an extra half-an-hour over a busy flyover.

It was closed without notice by Network Rail in 2011 when officers removed signage and locked the entrance gate.

The path is understood to have been a right of way for centuries, used by fisherman and to transport grain before the railway line was built.

A campaign was launched by residents with Marl ward county councillor Mike Priestley and then-MP for Aberconwy, Guto Bebb.

An initial public inquiry found in the residents' favour and Network Rail took the case to the High Court.

Hundreds of residents gave evidence of regular usage of the path and the judges refused to overturn the finding, also rejecting the rail company’s request for appeal.

Cllr Priestley said “justice was in our favour” following the decision to overturn Network Rail’s appeal in December.

“I’m delighted with the decision,” he said. “Network Rail thought the crossing would be an easy target, but residents across the region were up in arms.

“The path was used frequently and has been really missed by residents who came out and gave evidence.

“The tens and possibly hundreds of thousands of pounds spent on this whole sorry episode could have gone into improving the crossing.

“Network Rail now has the chance to put right its wrongs and I welcome working with them to reinstate the crossing with any concerns being addressed.”

Conwy County Borough Council, which registers public rights of way, has agreed that the crossing should remain closed until Network Rail puts safety measures such as signage in place.

The council has been approached for comment.

It is now hoped the crossing will be reopened with the return of safety measures such as signage. Picture: Kerry Roberts

Resident Glenys Arden, who gave evidence during the dispute, said the reopening of the crossing would have a huge impact on her and husband Roger’s daily lives.

“After a long, long battle we are so glad that the decision has been made,” she said.

“The opening of the crossing would give us access to the Coastal Path without half-mile detour and it would mean we could walk to Conwy rather than going over a busy road and flyover.

“It has been difficult to keep up the enthusiasm among residents at times as when you have not got something you learn to live without it, but there has been a revival of support and many residents are so pleased.”

One neighbour has lived in the community for 50 years and is said to have used path constantly until it was closed.

Resident and local campaigner Julian Pitt said that while the dispute has been concluded in the High Court he remains “very anxious” that the reinstatement of the crossing could take some time.

“Hundreds of people waiting for years for this,” he said. “Even though it is a short length of public footpath it is incredibly important in the network because residents in Deganwy can get access to the estuary path, whereas now they have to walk half-an-hour around.

“There are also significant public health and wellbeing benefits as it will encourage residents to get out exercising, which cannot be overstated during the current lockdown, and residents may walk to Conwy for shopping.”

Robin Millar, MP for Aberconwy who took on the dispute following his election in 2019, said: “This magnificent result really shows what we can achieve together. My colleague Janet, Cllr Mike and all our other county and community councillors, the Ramblers Association worked with you, the residents for this.

“I know how delighted everyone is to have heard this news at the start of this New Year.”