Bangor Mail

Rail group proposals could boost N Wales

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NORTH Wales train passengers could benefit from seven proposals put forward to the UK Government by an influentia­l rail group.

The High Speed Rail Group (HSRG) has submitted transport proposals to Sir Peter Hendy’s Union Connectivi­ty Review.

There are seven ideas in total across the UK – with two that could help boost services in North Wales.

The two North Wales proposals: Cardiff – Liverpool/Manchester/ North Wales: Upgrade of NewportCre­we railway to accommodat­e additional and faster services (including between North/Mid Wales and Cardiff).

Benefits: Cross-border link enhancemen­ts, provision of better north-south cross-Wales connection­s and better connectivi­ty for the economical­ly weak English border counties, especially Herefordsh­ire.

Manchester Airport – ChesterBan­gor – Holyhead: Route electrific­ation and use of the proposed Manchester Airport western rail link to attract passengers and freight to rail and take pressure off key sections of the national motorway.

Benefits: Boost to major businesses on North Wales/English border, enhanced labour market catchment for cluster of industries on the Mersey Dee border area.

Jim Steer, HSRG Board Member, said: “There is an urgent need for both new and improved transport links between the four nations of the United Kingdom, which have been systematic­ally neglected for too long.

“Cross-border travel markets rail were growing strongly over period to 2019.

“Travel generates economic value, but the opportunit­y for further economic stimulus from this source will be lost if transport network capacity constraint­s are not addressed.”

Vale of Clwyd MP James Davies said: “The Union Connectivi­ty Review remains an important opportunit­y for North Wales to secure the rail and road infrastruc­ture improvemen­ts which have been needed for decades. As Chair of the Mersey Dee North Wales All-Party Parliament­ary Group, I am liaising with Sir Peter Hendy, who is leading the review, to press the case for our region. for the

“It is my hope that his remit to ‘level up’ transport infrastruc­ture and better join together all parts of the UK, can align with the decarbonis­ation

agenda to drive electrific­ation of the Crewe to Holyhead railway line.

“We also need to see critical investment­s at Crewe, Warrington and

Manchester in particular to ensure that the connectivi­ty and speed of our rail services matches that of other regions.”

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 ?? Julian Hamilton ?? A Transport for Wales Rail services train. Above left: Vale of Clwyd MP James Davies
Julian Hamilton A Transport for Wales Rail services train. Above left: Vale of Clwyd MP James Davies

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