Having made repeated calls since he was first elected in 2015 for major investment in rail infrastructure in North Wales, Vale of Clwyd MP has welcomed today’s transformational announcement by the Prime Minister that the UK Government will deliver the electrification of the North Wales Mainline.
Rishi Sunak announced his government’s commitment to rail electrification in North Wales during his speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester today.
Until his appointment as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales last October, James was Chair of the Mersey Dee North Wales All Party Parliamentary Group. He has worked closely with Growth Track 360 (the North Wales and Mersey Dee Rail Taskforce), the Mersey Dee Alliance and other political, business and local authority leaders to put forward the strong case for cross-border rail infrastructure investment. He said:
“A key priority for me since my election to Parliament back in 2015 has been to improve public transport connectivity, in order to help Level Up our region. There have been multi-generational issues around investment in rail services to and from North Wales.
“I have repeatedly said that we need to see improved connectivity - through the improvement of line speeds, signalling, reliability and ultimately electrification, under the decarbonisation of rail agenda.
"I am therefore delighted by the Prime Minister’s huge announcement today. This investment is the culmination of many years of effective campaigning by myself and my parliamentary colleagues, ably supported by Growth Track 360 (North Wales Mersey Dee Rail Taskforce).”
He added:
“This announcement today is a further demonstration of the Conservative Party’s commitment to North Wales, as the A55 was in the 1980s and 1990s.
"Quicker and more reliable connections will bring economic and social benefits to North Wales and will help the Levelling Up of places such as Rhyl.
“They will also be instrumental in binding the country together.
“This £1 billion investment will transform North Wales’ public transport infrastructure, getting more people off the roads and on to trains, and giving the North Wales economy the shot in the arm it desperately needs.”
