‘Better transport links key to growth’
ROAD and rail links between North Wales and England need upgrading to drive economic growth and “social cohesion”, a new report has said.
The Union Connectivity Review, commissioned by the UK Government, proposes a major overhaul of transport connections in North Wales.
It concluded the North Wales coastal railway needs better connections with HS2 at Crewe so that North Wales can benefit from the new high-speed line between London and Wigan. Improvements to the A55 would also enable greater sea freight connectivity via Holyhead.
Led by Sir Peter Hendy, the review was launched in October 2020 with the aim of assessing transport infrastructure across the UK. He concluded a package of improvements focused on the North Wales corridor would boost union connectivity and cohesion.
Devolution, said the report, had sometimes prevented progress because of the existence of national transport bodies such as Transport for Wales, each of which has a “focus on transport links within their own nation”.
Sir Peter cited a pre-Covid report by the Welsh Government which observed the A55 “runs close to capacity during normal traffic flows and is above capacity at peak times... Significant seasonal congestion” is also a concern for the A55.
The reports noted the importance of access from North Wales to international gateways in England, such as Manchester Airport.
The report said: “Stakeholders have also identified the potential benefits of electrification of the North Wales Main Line, including reduced carbon emissions.”
Sir Peter accepted the Welsh Government has several infrastructure schemes in development designed to support improved resilience and capacity on the A55 corridor.
However he said these may now be compromised by a recent Cardiff moratorium on new road schemes pending further environmental reviews. The UK Government said it will now carefully consider the Union Connectivity Review in detail.
It has invited the Welsh Government to work with Westminster to identify solutions.