Prestatyn Level Crossings

We are excited to share our plan to make a significant investment in Prestatyn, North Wales, to increase the number of trains on the North Wales Coast.

This plan will not only improve travel for North Wales but also boost local tourism and support growth in communities.

We are working alongside Transport for Wales to lift the number of services on the North Wales coast by 50% as well as increasing capacity by 40%.

To increase the number of services safely, we have reviewed the crossing usage in the area and the added risks that this may bring.

To protect the public from the risks, we propose permanently closing two level crossings (Beverley Drive and Sandy Lane) and constructing a safer alternative way to cross over the railway.

These crossings pose a risk to the local community due to the high number of users, such as dog walkers and school children, crossing with poor visibility of forthcoming trains, which can reach speeds of 70 to 80 miles per hour as they pass through.

Thank you to everyone who either joined us at our information session in March and September or wrote to us about the options we proposed. We have listened to your feedback and used it to create a new option which we’re keen to share with you.

Confirmed – Option 4 – Accessible footbridge adjacent to Bridge Road

Having listened to the community, we have explored an option that would be less visually intrusive and will still provide a safe accessible route to the Morfa. The footbridge will be built next to the road bridge with access from the top of Bridge Road. The height of the footbridge will be the same as the current road bridge, and where feasible, we’re looking to incorporate perforated panels for improved visibility and aesthetics too. There were various possibilities shared prior to the confirmed option, which can be found in this PDF.

In addition to this, we’ve been working closely with Denbighshire council and Transport for Wales’ active travel team to agree suitable connection points for the bridge and as a result, we’re planning for the end of the ramp to tie in with the council’s future boardwalk scheme, which will mean that a temporary connection to Gas Works Lane is required until the boardwalk is ready. 

We’re also looking to include an additional connection between the new footbridge and the existing road bridge, but we’ll keep you updated on this as move through the coming months. 

Public Engagement

We’ll be planning another visit in Spring 2026, before the work begins. 

When is the work taking place?

We are still in the early stages of development work. We aim to have the permanent bridge open in Spring 2027. This means that survey work, design work and then construction work will take place between now and early 2027.

How will this work affect me?

We have an opportunity to increase the train service before that, in May 2026, which means that for safety reasons we will need to close both Sandy Lane and Beverley Drive level crossings before the bridge is ready. We’re currently exploring the feasibility of a temporary diversion via Gas Works Lane and Bridge Road.

We understand that construction can sometimes cause noise and traffic disruptions. We’re committed to working closely with our contractors to keep any inconvenience to a minimum and ensure things run as smoothly as possible for the community.

Why is the work needed?

We want to create a safer way for people to cross the railway by reducing the risk of accidents.

Our proposed plan is to close both crossings and provide an accessible, safe route over the railway to the nearby nature reserve Coed Y Morfa.

Closing the level crossings will also help us increase line speeds and improve train punctuality. More services for North Wales will help drive economic and social benefits for the area.

Active Travel

We’re working alongside the Welsh Government, Transport for Wales and Denbighshire County Council to provide a wider bridge that will connect with the local Active Travel network.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please call our dedicated 24-hour National Helpline on 03457 11 41 41, email CRWales@networkrail.co.uk or visit our Contact Us page.

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