RAIL commuters across mid Wales and the Midlands face further disruption after part of a key line near Welshpool was washed away in this week's floods.

A weekend of floods devastated the area, leading to emergency services rescuing residents from their cars and homes as rivers burst their banks.

The rail network was also damaged with the Cambrian Line damaged near Welshpool as torrents of river water swept downstream and breached defences.

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The damage to the track near Coed-Y-Dinas means the vital Birmingham-Aberystwyth service will not run until repairs are carried out.

County Times: The part of the line washed away by the storms. Pic: Rich Pittman.The part of the line washed away by the storms. Pic: Rich Pittman.

Hundreds of people use the service each day for work and recreation and many have championed the need for an hourly service over the past two decades.

However the latest storm damage means even the existing service is now set for delays until repairs have been carried out.

Transport for Wales (TfW) confirmed it was awaiting a plan on repairs from Network Rail before releasing details on repairs.

Meanwhile a TfW statement underlined the dangers to the public and urged people not to attempt to travel.

It said: "Due to high river water at 'Severn Viaduct' Shrewsbury, lines to Cardiff and Birmingham are flooded. This is causing severe disruption and TFW's advice for passengers travelling south of Shrewsbury is do not travel.

"As Shrewsbury is also flooded, road transport is not able to call at Shrewsbury station. The only road transport in operation is between Hereford and Church Stretton. Passengers for services North of Shrewsbury will be advised to use alterative services/route. GWR, Cross Country and West Midlands have agreed ticket acceptance for TFW passengers.

County Times: Flood waters around Welshpool. Pic: Rich Pittman.Flood waters around Welshpool. Pic: Rich Pittman.

"The advice for passengers travelling Shrewsbury to Machynlleth is do not travel due to flooding at Shrewsbury and Welshpool with no road transport available due to road conditions in the Welshpool area.

"Passengers travelling Shrewsbury to Birmingham are also advised to do not travel."

Senedd Member Jane Dodds has called on the Welsh and UK Government to ensure that repairs to the Cambrian Line are given “the absolute priority” over the coming weeks as the clean-up from Storm Franklin and Eunice begins.

She said there have been concerns raised by members of the public that parts of the Cambrian Line could face long-term closure.

The Senedd member for Mid and West Wales said: “It is vital the Welsh and UK Government work together with Network Rail to ensure repairs to the Cambrian Line take the absolute priority over the coming weeks. This includes releasing additional funding if necessary.

“The Cambrian Line serves as an economic lifeline for Mid Wales and any long-term disruption would have significant detrimental effects on all towns on the line, not least Welshpool, Newtown, Machynlleth and Aberystwyth. Any disruption will not only impact businesses and tourism but also the many commuters who use this line.

“Unfortunately we are unlikely to know the full extent of the damage and potential following disruption until flooding in Shrewsbury also subsides, but both the UK and Welsh Governments must be willing to step up and ensure any repairs to the line do not leave it shut for months on end like we have seen in other regions in the past.”