Residents Link Health Concerns to Smoke from Tourist Railway

Families residing adjacent to a tourist railway contend that dense, acrid smoke from the trains is adversely affecting their health. They assert that emissions from the Welsh Highland Railway have generated “considerable concern” among inhabitants of Rhes Segontiwm, located in Caernarfon, Gwynedd. Nia Davies Williams stated: “People are getting sick. It’s terrible, I’m very worried about our health.” The railway explained that the conflict in Ukraine has complicated the acquisition of cleaner coal, forcing them to rely on less pure imported varieties. The street is situated 20ft (6m) above the railway station. Ms Williams commented: “We are so worried about this horrible, acrid smoke coming into our houses. You can see the smoke in the air in the house.” She added that the railway is for recreation, suggesting that health should be prioritized, and that operations might need to cease if the problem cannot be resolved. Aside from a few Christmas events, Ms Williams noted that the railway’s operational season concluded in October. However, residents are apprehensive about the coming year. “In June 2022 we became very concerned about the quality of the smoke and we noticed that we could taste it,” Ms Williams recounted. She further explained: “You don’t dare leave the windows open in the summer anymore, because of the smoke.” Adding: “If I have the windows open just a little bit, I rush to close them immediately when I hear the train coming.” According to Ms Williams, the Welsh Highland Railway needed to address the issue. She remarked: “The coal used to be fine, it was really lovely, you could see and hear the trains.” However, she continued: “But they started to struggle about two years ago with the supply of coal because the Welsh coal mines were closing, and that’s the point I’d say it started to (be) a real problem.” She speculated: “They have probably bought this coal from Brazil or Colombia and they recognise themselves that it is very dirty coal but they have no choice.” David Keeble, another resident, asserted that it was time the railway was “shamed into taking long-term action.” He declared: “We are being polluted.” Paul Lewin, the head of Welsh Highland Railway, stated that obtaining quality coal was challenging. He explained: “For over a decade we have been burning dry coal from Wales, this is the Rolls-Royce material for steam trains.” He elaborated: “It’s hard coal and it burns very hot and for a long time, and there’s not a lot of smoke.” Mr. Lewin added: “But the challenge for us is that the Welsh government has decided to end coal production in Wales.” The railway previously procured suitable coal from Russia, but this supply ceased due to the war in Ukraine. Currently, a blend of imported coal and smokeless fuel is utilized, Mr. Lewin noted, though their combination presents difficulties. He commented: “Sometimes we get things wrong. We don’t want the smoke either, nor do our customers, so we try to deal with that carefully.” Mr. Lewin conveyed the railway’s empathy for its adjacent residents, further stating that cessation of operations was not feasible given the business’s role in employment. The Welsh Highland Railway is endeavoring to locate the most suitable fuel, he mentioned, but its procurement represents an issue affecting the entire industry.