revamp

A STUNNING UK railway route has officially welcomed back passengers for their journeys – following a £1.4m revamp.

Although this route spans only 26 miles, the overall stretch takes approximately an hour to complete.

The Conwy Valley Line runs across Llandudno and Blaenau Ffestiniog, showcasing breathtaking Welsh scenery including waterfalls and rolling hillsides.

On Monday, October 27, the popular railway line welcomed back its passengers.

Network Rail carried out four weeks worth of intensive engineering work.

This forms part of a £1.4million scheme, intended to strengthen the railway’s resilience during harsh weather conditions.

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Furthermore, crews have cleared 600,000m2 of vegetation and removed dangerous trees along a track spanning 54 miles.

It is hoped that this will stop fallen trees obstructing the line in the event of a future storm.

In addition to this, Network Rail also tested out an innovative new rail treatment for the Conwy Valley Line.

A gel solution was applied to the rails, which is hoped to break down leaf contamination.

Overall, this gel remains effective for up to seven days before then reactivating with rain.

Network Rail said in a statement: “The Conwy Valley line is one of the most picturesque in Wales, but also one of the most weather-exposed.

“In the past decade, storms have forced the line to close for more than 500 days – disrupting passengers and the transportation of freight goods.”

Describing the rail line, an enthusiastic passenger wrote on TripAdvisor: “It’s utterly spectacular and crams more into an hour than the ECML does into four.

“One of the nicest little tours you can do in the UK is a loop of Chester-Llandudno Jn-Blaenau-Porthmadog-Machynlleth-Shrewsbury-Chester, though you’ll probably need to use a bus rather than the FfR for the middle bit at present.”

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Earlier this month, Brits planning to head home for Christmas were warned to brace for weeks of rail chaos.

Commuters and holidaymakers will face more than a fortnight of disruption from Christmas Day through to the New Year.

This will see major stations all caught in the crossfire of an engineering shutdown.

Network Rail says the work will boost the power supply to trains and strengthen the railway’s foundations, but passengers can expect plenty of pain before the gain.

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that a new £2.7million train station is coming to the UK – in a huge boost for a tiny mining town.

A revised plan to modernise train travel in the north of Newcastle-under-Lyme was completed and awaiting council approval.

Developed by East Midlands Railway and National Rail – the £2.7m project is backed by Kidsgrove Town Deal Board.

From the 18th century, Kidsgrove grew around coal mining, although the pits have now closed.

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The original proposals for the new railway were scrapped due to historical mining issues which would have cost up to £13 million to sort out.

A revised project to upgrade its railway station is only awaiting formal approval from Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council reported RailBusinessDaily.

A UK train station close to a major attraction has been returned to its former glory, which dates back nearly 100 years.

Over the past two years, Richmond Station in London has undergone a massive £325,000 restoration project.

Main features such as the facade have been reinstated to what they would have looked like in the 1930s and the bronze and mahogany entrance doors have also been repaired and polished.

New flagpoles have been added to where they would have been originally, with each flying the National Rail Double Arrow.

There is also a transformed entrance canopy and ticket hall.

Inside the ticket hall bronze panels that have been handmade to original designs have replaced cladding.

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When some of the cladding was removed, a number of original timber frieze and green glass signs was also found, most of which was intact.

Since, missing sections have been replaced so the signage can be enjoyed once again.

A number of new roof-lights that recreate 1930s ‘Glasscrete’ have also been implemented.

At night, there is a softer lighting to highlight the entrance and canopy and SWR installed a chandelier with features inspired by original Art Deco light fittings.

The shops also have new oak fronts and retro poster frames hold 1930s artwork.

In the booking hall, signs such as enquiries for left luggage are back on display and an old WH Smith sign has been preserved.

One of the original metal signs from outside the station, now appears in the booking hall as well.

The Art Deco station first opened back in 1937 and was designed by Southern Railway, led by chief architect James Robb Scott.

Chris Gregory, asset enhancement manager for South Western Railway, said: “We are very proud of what has been achieved, bringing the station back to its original heritage condition and providing a fantastic gateway to Richmond.”

For those heading to the station, Richmond is full of things to explore including a large sprawling park with over 630 red and fallow deer, which have roamed freely in the park for nearly 400 years.

In fact, it is the largest of London’s Royal Parks sprawling across 2,500 acres.

One popular spot is the The White Cross, which is known for flooding often thanks to its riverside location.

Don’t worry though – the pub often hands out wellies for customers to use if they want to get into, or out of, the pub.

Just up the road is a major UK attraction too.

The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew – or more commonly referred to as Kew Gardens – is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that spans over 300 acres and features a vast array of plants.

Inside the gardens, visitors can head to the Palm House, which is a large Victorian-era glasshouse with iron features home to a large collection of tropical rainforest plants.

To get to Kew Gardens from Richmond, the fastest route is to hop on the District Line or the Overground, which takes about three minutes to reach Kew Gardens Station.

Alternatively, you could walk from Richmond along the River Thames towpath, which takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

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In other train news, another historic station that used to have trains to the beach is set to reopen after 60 years and it has vintage dining carriage plans.

Plus, here are seven abandoned UK train stations that have been transformed – from Wetherspoons and cowboy bars to new hotels.

Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) chair Richard Collier-Keywood and director of rugby Dave Reddin have defended their positions amid criticism of the Union’s handling of regional restructuring.

The WRU’s preferred two-team model has been scrapped, following a six-week consultation process, having now opted to reduce the number of professional sides from four to three.

Collier-Keywood said: “I don’t accept it’s a mess at all. We went out with a proposal and we want to make change.”

Reddin added: “I don’t see the mess at all. It’s not going to be an easy process to get there but I’m hugely excited for the future.”

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THE first glimpse of a popular UK seaside town’s £20million beachfront transformation has been revealed in brand new footage.

Located in the heart of Devon, the new project is set to redefine a stretch of stunning British coastline.

An incredible new fly-through tour has provided residents with a first look at Paignton’s bright future.

The ambitious new plans include the instalment of vital flood protection and upgrades to public areas.

After being appointed by Torbay Council, the construction firm Knights Brown has revealed that it is preparing for full-scale works to commence in early November.

The project is set to unfold in three key phases.

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It aims to protect homes, businesses, and community areas from coastal flooding, while also introducing brand new promenades, seating zones, landscaping and improved lighting.

Phase one will focus on Paignton Green North, with work scheduled for completion before the English Riviera Airshow in May 2026.

The following phase will aim to tackle Paignton Green South.

While a separate single-phase scheme at Preston seafront is due to start at the end of the year.

The £20million project is being funded by the UK government and the Environment Agency as part of broader efforts to strengthen climate resilience.

Construction zones are expected to briefly pause during the 2026 six-week summer holiday period.

Throughout construction residents will also still be able to access both beaches.

Promenades will also stay open but may be narrowed in places.

The green spaces surrounding the work will also remain fully accessible and local businesses will continue to run as usual.

Cllr Chris Lewis, deputy leader and cabinet member for place development and economic growth at Torbay Council, said: “This marks Paignton’s first large-scale transformational project—an initiative that goes far beyond flood defence.

“It will deliver a dramatically enhanced seafront experience for all, with modern design and improved public spaces that add lasting value to the area.

“More than protection, this scheme is about unlocking Paignton’s future as a thriving, vibrant coastal town.”

Mike Crook, divisional director at Knights Brown, added: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with Torbay Council on this game-changing project for Paignton and Preston.

“We have vast experience in coastal and marine projects, having worked on schemes across Wales and the UK, including Mumbles in Wales and Associated British Ports in Southampton.

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“Our team is excited to contribute to Paignton and Preston’s future—not just through construction, but by being an active and positive presence in the community.

“We look forward to working closely with residents, businesses and local organisations to ensure this project benefits everyone.”

Syria’s fledgling government has sought investment to reconstruct the country after its devastating yearslong civil war.

Syria has signed a series of investment deals with international companies, covering 12 major strategic projects in infrastructure, transportation and real estate valued at a total of $14bn, the latest lifeline aimed at reviving its war-ravaged economy.

The plans included a $4bn investment project for Damascus airport signed with Qatar’s UCC Holding and a $2bn deal with the United Arab Emirates national investment corporation to establish a metro in the Syrian capital, Talal al-Hilali, head of the Syrian Investment Authority, said during the ceremony at the presidential palace in Damascus on Wednesday.

It’s a welcome development for President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s new government as it has been grappling with the heavy fallout from sectarian violence that broke out on July 13 in the southern province of Suwayda between Bedouin and Druze fighters. Government troops were deployed to quell the conflict. The bloodshed worsened, and Israel carried out strikes on Syrian troops and also bombed the heart of the capital Damascus, under the pretext of protecting the Druze.

Other major developments on the investment front destined for Damascus include the $2bn Damascus Towers project signed with the Italian-based company UBAKO, a $500m deal for the Baramkeh Towers project and another $60m agreement for Baramkeh Mall.

Since the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December in a lightning rebel offensive, Syria’s new authorities have worked to attract investment for the reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed in the country’s devastating, nearly 14-year-long civil war.

The projects “will extend across Syria and represent a qualitative shift in infrastructure and economic life”, al-Hilali said on Wednesday, adding that the agreements were “a turning point” for Syria’s future.

Al-Sharaa and United States special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack were both present at the signing ceremony, Syria’s official SANA news agency reported on Wednesday.

Barrack congratulated Syrian authorities on “another great accomplishment”, saying they will witness the rise of a “new hub” in “trade and prosperity”.

The United Nations has put Syria’s post-war reconstruction costs at more than $400bn. Several deals have already been announced.

Last month, Saudi Arabia signed major investment and partnership deals with Syria, valued at $6.4bn.

Also in July, Syria signed an $800m deal with UAE-based company DP World to develop the port of Tartous, state media reported.

In May, Syria signed a $7bn energy deal with a consortium of Qatari, Turkish and US companies as it seeks to revive its crippled power sector.

The US and European Union have recently lifted sanctions on Syria in the wake of al-Assad’s ouster, opening the nation to further investment and trade deals.