Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies, has spoken to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, this week over the need for the rapid development of a full businesses case for all the regional rail improvements required to enable North Wales to thrive.
James stressed that rail investment in the region would help fulfil the “levelling up” agenda, markedly improve connections between North Wales and the rest of Great Britain, and provide better links to Holyhead and Liverpool ports and Manchester and Liverpool airports for sea and air links.
As Chair of the Mersey Dee North Wales All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG),he has also written toSir Peter Hendy CBE, who is leadingthe UK Government’s Union Connectivity Review, to advocate coordinated “cross-border” transport investment.
His letter submitted on behalf of the APPG states:
“There have long been calls for electrification of the Crewe-Holyhead railway for economic purposes, but the benefit:cost ratio for this has proven insufficient to meet HM Treasury ‘Green Book’ demands.
We would argue that moderate investment in the region’s line speeds and bottlenecks in years gone by would have driven up passenger use and demonstrated the potential to be realised from electrification, and that this remains the case.
“The decarbonisation agenda is likely to require electrification of the line in due course, but relying on this alone may mean a further wait of 20 years. We would urge you to recommend that the government bring electrification forward to 2030, to allow classic-compatible HS2 trains to run through to Holyhead.
“In the interim, it is important that current commitments to fund an Outline Business Case relating to North Wales line speeds are widened in scope, ambition and timescale. A fit-for-purpose study to properly deliver for the region would seek provision for 8 train paths per hour, with greater line speeds, more frequent signalling stanchions as necessary, and the accommodation of express, freight and stopping services. The current Strategic Outline Business Case specifies 4-5 trains per hour (similar to present) with only fractional speed improvements. Chester station capacity and Wrexham-Bidston line signalling and track improvements also need to be considered alongside.”
The letter further states:
“We would highlight the fact that, from the perspective of our region, the agenda you have been asked to review does not simply relate to long-distance travel but is fundamental to day-to-day life and the success of our “cross-border” economy. Mobile phone data from 2019 demonstrates that the number of journeys from North Wales to the North West is more than 20 times higher than the number from North Wales to other parts of Wales. These journeys take place despite the poor existing infrastructure.
“At present, a journey by train from Prestatyn in my constituency to central Manchester (65 miles), takes at least 1 hour 45 minutes, and travelling by car is a quicker option. A rail journey of the same distance in the South East takes as little as 40 mins.”
He also emphasised the need for improvements to the A55, stating:“With regard to road connections, we would point to the A55, which is a crucial piece of national infrastructure relevant to your review. It would benefit from additional capacity and linkages, particularly along its eastern stretches.”
