Floods cause 'multiple washouts' along busy railway line as engineers assess damage
Engineers are assessing flood damage to sections of railway track in Mid Wales.
Network Rail has confirmed that its staff are investigating damage caused by flood water over the past two days, with the line between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth currently closed.
Images have shown how earth underneath a section of the track just outside Welshpool railway station, in the Newtown direction, had been washed away.
It comes as multiple locations along the Cambrian Line have been hit by flooding amidst heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday.
Transport for Wales has also told passengers that it cannot currently run replacement buses on the line.
A spokesperson for Network Rail apologised for the closure on Monday, saying: "It’s too early right now to say when the railway will be open again, but we’ll update passengers and the wider community on our plans as soon as we have more information. In the meantime, we would encourage passengers to check before they travel for the most up-to-date advice.”
Welshpool Llanerchyddol Councillor Graham Breeze, who sits on Powys Council, said the line's closure had already had a major impact on the town.
"It would be a major impact for the whole of mid Wales if the closure was an extended one. The line is the main line from the Midlands to the Welsh coast. It will be very concerning of there is a long closure. Carriages are always full and the line is well used," he said.
"I would urge Network Rail to make the repair of this line a priority, which I am sure they will," he added.
The line between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton has however re-opened after being closed earlier on Tuesday.
A Network Rail Spokesperson said: “We had to close part of the railway at Shrewsbury earlier today due to severe flooding in the town, posing a risk to the railway.
"Our engineers have carried out safety checks on the viaduct and the railway has been deemed safe to reopen.
"We urge all passengers to please check before they travel as there will likely be continued disruption to some services."
Other photos from the Welshpool area show flooded fields and roads near the town.
