YNYS Môn MP Virginia Crosbie has secured £100,000 to fund a feasibility study looking at options for developing the disused Amlwch to Gaerwen railway line.

The £50,000 bid – submitted by Mrs Crosbie to the UK Government’s Restoring Your Railways Ideas Fund – will be matched by the Welsh Government to make the total amount.

The Department for Transport (DfT) announced the bid was successful today (October 27). It means work can take place to examine the best use of the line.

There are several ways it could be put back into use. These include restoring it as a railway, using some form of light rail alternative or developing it into a cycle and walking path.

The last option could potentially open up a route from Newborough to Amlwch – linking the south and north of the island and joining up with the Anglesey Coastal Path.

Mrs Crosbie said: “For too long, this disused line has been in the sidings, but this cash injection to look at options for its future will put it back on track.

“I am really pleased DfT agreed with me that the line has huge potential on Anglesey for recreation and tourism and I would like to thank everyone who supported the bid.

“I would particularly like to thank the Transport for Wales team and those who sent letters of support for the application - Menter Môn, M-SParc, Môn CF, Welsh Government, Anglesey Council, Citizens Advice and Ynys Môn MS, Rhun ap Iorwerth.

“We need to find the best way to bring this line back to life. I look forward to reading the feasibility study and its conclusions."

Mrs Crosbie also met with transport minister Chris Heaton-Harris to discuss the project and persuade him to back the bid.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps added: “This £50,000 - matched funded by Welsh Government - is designed to look at all the options for this long disused railway line through a feasibility study.

“The fund is not exclusively about restoring railways but rather, making use of old railway lines and routes so the community can use them again for a variety of recreation purposes.

“I look forward to hearing from Virginia about progress on developing the Amlwch to Gaerwen railway line. Her application was persuasive and she is a real champion for Anglesey.”