Electrification call for N.Wales main line amid HS2 turmoil

BUSINESS LEADERS RENEW LONG-RUNNING CALLS FOR NETWORK UPGRADE TO BOOST INWARD INVESTMENT

BUSINESS and council chiefs have renewed their calls for the electrification of the North Wales Main Line amid turmoil over HS2.

Earlier this month the UK Secretary of State for Transport said there would be a two-year delay to completion of construction work on HS2 between Birmingham and Crewe due to cost increases - with fears from some the line will never get beyond Birmingham.

Leaked papers also show the London end could terminate outside the capital until 2041 - rather than the planned Euston station.

The £100bn line is classed as a Wales and England project meaning Wales loses out on £5bn in rail funding despite HS2 not entering Wales.

Last week rail group Growth Track 360 - made up of business and local authority leaders renewed its call for funds to be invested in regional rail projects. They want the electrification of the North Wales Main Line from Holyhead to Crewe and Warrington and the complete modernisation of Chester station as the gateway for tourism and commerce to Cheshire and North Wales.

Growth Track 360 chair Cllr Louise Gittins said: “Growth Track 360 wants the North Wales Main Line electrified so that we can see faster, cleaner and more frequent passenger and freight trains in the medium term and be HS2-ready when the line reaches Crewe.”

Growth Track 360 vice chair and leader of Flintshire Council Councillor Ian Roberts said: “The prospect of electrification of the North Wales Main Line and through running of HS2 trains would provide us with an unrivalled opportunity to attract inward investment and give our young people the chance to enjoy well paid employment in their own communities.”

Ashley Rogers, GT360 business representative, chief executive of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council, said: “Electrification of the existing main line to Chester and then Crewe would plug our cross-border region directly into HS2 vastly improving connectivity to the rest of the UK and helping to decarbonise business.

“Our world-class manufacturing sector employs 63,000 people and the tourism sector attracts almost 80 million visitors a year. We are a regional powerhouse that deserves this crucial transport investment.”