John Prescott overruled farmers' concerns

It has taken three years, a public inquiry and decisions by both John Prescott and the High Court for the Welsh Highland Railway to get its newest portion of track.

The Millennium Commission-funded project to build Britain's longest 'heritage railway' through the heart of the Snowdonia National Park has faced strong opposition from environmental groups and local farmers.

Environmentalists, farmers and ramblers objected to its passage through Snowdonia.

They said the �15m scheme would ruin one of the wildest parts of Britain and would mean the loss of a popular path.

The High Court ruled that the government was entitled to the view that the project would bring a much-needed boost to the local economy and was 'in the public interest'.

But its supporters argued that it would be a big boost for tourism in the area as a vivid reminder of the steam age.

The last trains ran on the track in 1937 and although they acknowledged that the re-opening may have taken a long time, operators said it should only be another four years until the line is completed to Porthmadog.