Rail vision can bring thousands of extra jobs
A NEW vision for rail investment across North Wales and North West England would deliver 300,000 new jobs and boost productivity and home-building.
That is the findings of a report launched in the House of Commons on Monday.
The West and Wales Strategic Rail Prospectus has been created by a collaboration of public and private sector leaders from North Wales, Cheshire West and Chester, Warrington and Cheshire East, and has the backing of Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester.
The prospectus sets out how the residents in the area, which has a population of some 2.1m people, would benefit from improved journey times and more frequent services, which would boost economic growth and take cars off the roads.
The document calls for investment in the strategic rail hubs of Crewe, Warrington, Manchester Airport and Chester if HS2 is to fulfil its true potential, along with improvements right across the network to improve connectivity and mobility.
In particular, the prospectus says that a proper rail hub at Crewe is required, with five to seven fast trains per hour stopping there, and frequent local services on the lines that converge on Crewe to bring over 1.5m people over an hour closer to London.
The prospectus specifically calls for the Government to: ■ Work in collaboration to enable rail to support the delivery of growth. ■ Provide kick-start fund- ing for feasibility and business case development. ■ Support the delivery of identified solutions for rail services and infrastructure. ■ Help to develop and implement improved processes within the rail industry which enable schemes to be developed and delivered more cost effectively. ■ Recognise and support the 4 hub concept in extending the benefits of HS2 to a wider area.
Ken Skates, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for SAMANTHA DIXON Economy and Transport, said: “This prospectus sets out a compelling and clear case for cross-border investment which would enhance opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people and many businesses to ensure the benefits of HS2 can be felt from Crewe to Conwy and beyond.”
Chair of Growth Track 360, Cllr Samantha Dixon said: “Targeted investment in the area’s four key rail hubs and across the North Wales, Cheshire and Warrington rail network can deliver a step change in connectivity and growth across the region.
“We are asking Government and the wider rail industry to recognise the potential that this investment can bring and to work alongside us to make it a reality.”
The launch of the West and Wales Strategic Rail Prospectus builds on the work done by the Growth Track 360 campaign, which called for rail investment in North Wales and the Mersey Dee area.
Transport for the North’s Interim Northern Powerhouse Rail Director, Tim Wood, said: “Improving rail connections, for people and goods, between the economically important areas of Cheshire, North Wales, and the Liverpool City Region is a key priority for Transport for the North, as set out in our draft Strategic Transport Plan.”