ENTHUSIASTS are celebrating after the go-ahead was given for a scheme to bring a historic tramline back into use.
Wrexham Council’s planning committee has approved proposals to get a 1.2 mile section of Glyn Valley track between Chirk station and Pontfaen to the south-east up and running.
A large number of the scheme’s supporters attended the meeting to see their dream of the return of the tramway after a gap of more than 75 years become a reality.
Narrow guage trains will operate on the line.
Chirk South councillor Terry Evans, a member of the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news, not just for Chirk but also for the Ceiriog Valley. It is absolutely tremendous it is now going to happen. This will appeal to all ages.
“I am sure this will help bring a lot of people to this area. We have seen this is the case at Llangollen where they have the railway and I firmly believe it will also be the case here.
“I would like to thank everyone who has made this possible.”
The Glyn Valley Tramway closed in 1935 with the locomotives used having converted to steam driven trains in 1888.
However, a campaign has been in place in recent years to revive the tramway and applicant David Cooper, of the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust, said he hopes the first trains could be up and running by 2015.
“We then have to run it for at least two years to prove it is a viable entity, and then we’ll go back to the Welsh Government and Wrexham Council to see if we can get further funding,” he said.
The trust eventually hopes to be able to extend the track.
A couple who have been actively involved in the campaign to make the tramway dream a reality are Ben and Susan Williams.
Mr Williams, of Castle Road, Chirk, said he had been hoping to see the tramway installed for almost 50 years, after discovering the disused cutting for the line at the bottom of his garden as a child.
The awarding of planning approval means the line is set to return there.
“It is very pleasing news,” he said.
“Ever since I was a boy I have wanted to see the Glyn Valley Tramway back in use and it is so good that it is finally going to happen. These are exciting times and I look forward to the day when the line is in use again.”
The plan includes reinstating the platform and rebuilding the original Chirk tramway station and creating an entirely new station at Pontfaen.
A small platform at Baddy’s Wood is also planned.