An ambitious vision to deliver an integrated, high-frequency public transport network for North Wales, with frequent metro services at its heart, has been unveiled.
Network North Wales is a bold passenger-focussed programme of work to better connect communities, with more rail and bus services and greater integration. It aims to maximise opportunity and unlock the economic
potential of North Wales and the cross-border region.
Unveiled by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates, Network North Wales will see metro style train services on the North Wales mainline, the Marches line (Chester to Wrexham) and a new, direct rail link between Wrexham and Liverpool.
Immediate changes are being delivered, with a raft of improvements planned for the next twelve months, three years and through to 2035. Longer term objectives include defining future targets for higher frequency services, reopening closed stations, creating new stations and exploring the role of new transport modes such as tram trains.
Speaking at Wales’ first ever Public Transport Summit in Wrexham Mr Skates declared “Metro is go”.
Plans include:
* Commencing work on the line between Wrexham and Liverpool as the crucial first phase of delivering metro services direct between the two cities.
* Doubling train services between Wrexham and Chester next May.
* Bringing forward the introduction of 50% more services across the North Wales mainline from December 2026 to next May – resulting in a new service from Llandudno to Liverpool and extending the Manchester Airport service to Holyhead in place of Llandudno.
* Upon completion of rail line works at Padeswood, increase train services between Wrexham and Bidston to 2 trains per hour within the next three years, ahead of the introduction of 4 trains per hour that will run direct between Wrexham and Liverpool by 2035.
* The existing Borderlands Line will also be renamed the Wrexham–Liverpool line.
* Key stations on the Wrexham-Liverpool line will be improved in the next 12 months.
* Trains operating on the Wrexham-Liverpool line will be wrapped to reflect the communities and football clubs they serve.
* Introducing Pay as You Go tap in tap out technology – covering connections between Gobowen and Rhyl, and along the full length of the Wrexham-Liverpool line.
The Welsh Government has already committed an investment of over £13m to begin delivery immediately and will draw on other funding streams to make the vision a reality.
Ken Skates said:
“We now have the best possible partnership in place to deliver Network North Wales. UK Government, local government, Transport for Wales and English local authorities are working with us to deliver this bold programme of work to better connect communities, with more rail and bus services and greater integration, new stations, new transport routes, new trains, new buses, new technology.
“A network of public transport services that will include cross-border turn-up and go bus and rail services, extending the Northern Arc from Hull to Holyhead.
“With unprecedented partnership across governments, across borders and across the north, we have the opportunity to turn dreams into reality, to deliver on an enduring vision for what our a public transport network
should look like. Most importantly, we have an opportunity to deliver the principal purpose of public transport – to drive economic growth and prosperity for all.”
(Pic: Welsh Government)
