#ferryside — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #ferryside, aggregated by home.social.
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Last Victorian signal boxes retired as South West Wales railway modernises
Network Rail engineers carried out a major upgrade last weekend, switching the line to modern digital technology as part of the Port Talbot West resignalling project. The work means trains will now be controlled remotely from Port Talbot, improving reliability and safety after years of disruption.
Reliability problems
The upgrade comes after a troubled period for the line. Over the past two and a half years, there have been 59 signalling failures between Carmarthen and Llanelli, causing delays for passengers and freight operators. Network Rail says the new system will reduce the frequency and duration of failures, while modern level crossing equipment will improve safety for road users.
The fate of the historic boxes
Pembrey Signal Box
Pembrey Signal Box and level crossing at Burry Port, once central to South Wales coal and harbour traffic, now retired after more than a century of service.
(Image: Geograph / Gareth James)Opened in 1907 as Pembrey East Box, this was once the beating heart of a complex railway system around Burry Port harbour. Lines from the Gwendraeth Valley Railway, Brunel’s Great Western main line, Cwm Capel Colliery and later Carmarthen Bay Power Station all converged here.
Originally fitted with 31 levers, the box was enlarged in 1947 to handle coal traffic for the power station, with an 83‑lever frame installed. At its peak, Pembrey controlled the movement of up to 140,000 tons of coal each year.
Over its 116 years of service, the box witnessed wartime signalwomen struggling with heavy levers, and even a serious accident in 1953 when an oil train derailed and tankers crashed into the building.
Despite its heritage value, attempts by the Pembrey and Burry Port Heritage Group to secure listed status were rejected by CADW, which judged the box altered and not among the best surviving examples of its type. With no operational role left, demolition now awaits.
Kidwelly Signal Box
Historic signalling components inside Kidwelly Signal Box, which combined an 1885 base with a 1950s rebuild.
(Image: Network Rail)Kidwelly’s box dates back to 1885, though its age is disguised by a 1950s rebuild of the upper portion.
The original Great Western lever frame was removed in 1983 and replaced by a small panel, but the box continued to operate under the Absolute Block system with its neighbours at Pembrey and Ferryside.
After more than a century of service, Kidwelly has now been retired and will be demolished.
Carmarthen Junction Signal Box
Carmarthen Junction Signal Box, built in 1956, retained for storage and future training use.
(Image: Network Rail)Constructed in 1956, Carmarthen Junction once controlled the area with a 78‑lever frame.
Today only a small panel remains in use, but the building will be retained for storage and may be repurposed as a training facility for future signallers. Unlike its neighbours, Carmarthen Junction will continue to serve a purpose, albeit in a different role.
Ferryside Signal Box
Ferryside level crossing, upgraded with new barriers and detection systems as part of the 2025 resignalling project.
(Image: Network Rail)Mechanical interlocking system beneath Ferryside Signal Box, described as a “mechanical computer” preventing conflicting routes.
(Image: Network Rail)Ferryside Signal Box, a Grade II‑listed Victorian structure overlooking the Towy estuary, now preserved by a local society.
(Image: Network Rail)Ferryside is believed to date from before 1884 and is the standout survivor. Now Grade II‑listed, it retains a smart Great Western double‑twist frame of 24 levers, along with 1947‑style block instruments and bells used to communicate with adjacent boxes.
Beneath the operating floor lies the interlocking — a mechanical computer of sliding metal bars and notches that physically prevents conflicting routes being set. The original double‑twist locking was replaced by standard tappet locking as recently as 1996, showing how the box evolved while retaining its Victorian character.
Even the wire adjusters, used to compensate for weather‑related changes in tension on long runs of signal wire, remain in place. Thanks to its protected status, Ferryside is being adopted by the Ferryside Signal Box Preservation Society, a community group working to safeguard the building and its equipment for future generations.
Preserving history while modernising
A Network Rail spokesperson said:
“As much as possible of the old signalling equipment will be recycled and used across other parts of the network. Ferryside is in the process of being adopted by a community group, while Carmarthen will continue to serve a purpose for training.”
Looking ahead
The signalling upgrade is designed to reduce delays and improve safety, with new level crossing systems and barriers installed at several sites. Further line closures are planned on Sundays 16 and 23 November to complete the final stages of the project.
Project Manager Scott Beech added:
“By centralising control and upgrading our signalling infrastructure, we’re not only improving reliability but also laying the groundwork for a safer and more responsive railway system that better serves our communities.”
#CarmarthenJunctionSignalBox #Ferryside #FerrysideSignalBox #FerrysideSignalBoxPreservationSociety #historicSignalBox #Kidwelly #KidwellySignalBox #NetworkRail #Pembrey #PembreyEastSignalBox #signalBox #signals #Victorian #VictorianRailwayInfrastructure
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Major incident declared as flooding triggers rescues across West Wales and Swansea
450 calls in 12 hours
The service said its Joint Fire Control Centre handled more than 450 flooding‑related calls in just 12 hours between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Craig Flannery praised the “dedication and professionalism” of crews and control staff who worked through the night to respond to emergencies.
He said:
“Our crews have been truly exceptional in assisting and protecting our communities. We are extremely grateful to all partner agencies who have assisted in responding to incidents during a prolonged and challenging period.”
Whitland: retirement complex evacuated
One of the most serious incidents unfolded in Whitland, where floodwaters swept into a retirement housing complex in the early hours of Wednesday. Crews from Pembroke Dock, Tenby, Swansea Central, Carmarthen and Whitland stations evacuated 48 residents using rescue sleds and water rescue equipment. All were accounted for and temporarily sheltered at Whitland Town Hall.
Ferryside: homes evacuated with RNLI support
At Ferryside, crews from Ammanford, Tumble and Carmarthen worked with the RNLI after multiple homes were flooded. Residents were led to safety and taken to Ferryside RFC for shelter.
Fire crews wade through floodwater at Glanrhyd Dog Sanctuary near Kidwelly, bringing terrified dogs to safety after the kennels were submerged. (Image: Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service)Kidwelly: 34 dogs rescued from sanctuary
At Glanrhyd Dog Sanctuary near Kidwelly, crews from Gorseinon and Cymmer stations rescued 34 dogs after floodwaters engulfed the kennels. The sanctuary’s owner described losing “everything” as bedding, food supplies and equipment were destroyed.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue crews guide rescued casualties and dogs to safety after a complex operation in Lampeter. (Image: Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service)Lampeter: vehicle rescue in fast‑flowing water
In Lampeter, firefighters from Lampeter and Aberystwyth stations carried out a complex rescue after a vehicle became stranded in fast‑flowing water. Using ladders, they reached three people and two dogs trapped inside, bringing them to safety before handing the casualties to ambulance crews.
Residents are ferried to safety by boat after floodwaters inundated homes and businesses in St Clears. (Image: Han Playle)St Clears: 20 properties affected
In St Clears, crews from Morriston, Swansea Central, Haverfordwest, Narberth and Llandysul responded to flooding that hit around 20 homes and businesses. Approximately 42 people were assisted out of their properties and rescued using sleds.
Flooded Cwmbwrla roundabout in Swansea, looking towards pumping equipment from the Cwmbwrla side of the railway bridge (Image: Swansea Council).Swansea: Cwmbwrla roundabout submerged again
In Swansea, heavy rain once again left Cwmbwrla roundabout completely submerged, with cars stranded and nearby businesses forced to evacuate. The Gatehouse pub had to be cleared after water surged up through drains, with the landlady describing it as the second such incident in just six weeks.
Swansea Council has since said a collapsed culvert is behind the repeated flooding at the busy junction, which has caused major disruption to traffic into the city centre.
Support and recovery underway
As the emergency response continued, local councillors Crisial Davies and Lewis Eldred Davies, who represent Ferryside and Kidwelly, confirmed they had been on the ground speaking with residents and liaising with Carmarthenshire County Council and Welsh Water. They said additional sandbags were being delivered to affected areas including Glanmorfa and Glan yr Ystrad, and highlighted the launch of an emergency flood fund offering £500 for households that have been internally flooded, an additional £1,000 for those without insurance, and grants of up to £5,000 for eligible businesses.
Carmarthenshire Council has also opened a rest centre at Carmarthen Leisure Centre to support people displaced by flooding in Whitland, St Clears and surrounding communities. The authority said its crews had been working throughout the night and remained on site in multiple locations across the county, urging residents not to drive through floodwater.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it continues to work with the Dyfed‑Powys Local Resilience Forum and partner agencies to support ongoing incidents and coordinate what is expected to be a challenging and lengthy recovery effort.
Related Articles
Cwmbwrla roundabout submerged again as flooding hits Swansea and wider region
Torrential rain leaves roads under water and causes disruption across South West Wales.Council blames collapsed culvert – not drains – for Cwmbwrla flooding
Swansea Council says a collapsed culvert is behind repeated flooding at the busy junction.Flooding devastates Carmarthenshire dog sanctuary as fire crews rescue 34 animals
Firefighters save dozens of dogs after floodwaters engulf Glanrhyd Dog Sanctuary near Kidwelly.#Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CarmarthenshireCountyCouncil #Environment #Ferryside #flooding #Lampeter #MidAndWestWalesFireAndRescueService #StClears #Whitland
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Signalling upgrade work resumes in South West Wales http://dlvr.it/TN8c1h #Carmarthen #Ferryside #Infrastructure #Kidwelly
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Signalling upgrade work resumes in South West Wales http://dlvr.it/TN8c1h #Carmarthen #Ferryside #Infrastructure #Kidwelly
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Signalling upgrade work resumes in South West Wales http://dlvr.it/TN8c1h #Carmarthen #Ferryside #Infrastructure #Kidwelly
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Signalling upgrade work resumes in South West Wales http://dlvr.it/TN8c1h #Carmarthen #Ferryside #Infrastructure #Kidwelly
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Signalling upgrade work resumes in South West Wales http://dlvr.it/TN8c1h #Carmarthen #Ferryside #Infrastructure #Kidwelly
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Signalling upgrade work resumes in South West Wales http://dlvr.it/TN8c1J #Carmarthen #Ferryside #Infrastructure #Kidwelly
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Signalling upgrade work resumes in South West Wales http://dlvr.it/TN8c1J #Carmarthen #Ferryside #Infrastructure #Kidwelly
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Signalling upgrade work resumes in South West Wales http://dlvr.it/TN8c1J #Carmarthen #Ferryside #Infrastructure #Kidwelly
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Signalling upgrade work resumes in South West Wales http://dlvr.it/TN8c1J #Carmarthen #Ferryside #Infrastructure #Kidwelly
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Signalling upgrade work resumes in South West Wales http://dlvr.it/TN8c1J #Carmarthen #Ferryside #Infrastructure #Kidwelly
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Every now and then I scroll back through my photos to remind myself of how beautiful Wales is, and to remind myself it’s not always bloody freezing. #ThrowbackThursday #Ferryside #lLlanstephan #Carmarthenshire