Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has this week questioned the Prime Minister over funding for recommended transport projects in North Wales.
Last month James welcomed the fact that the interim Union Connectivity Review recognised the transport needs of North Wales, with a number of projects proposed for the region.
Speaking in the House of Commons this week, he again welcomed the review’s findings, and asked the Prime Minister if he will commit to implementing them.
He said:
“The interim findings of Sir Peter Hendy’s Union connectivity review are very much to be welcomed. He highlights the improvements that need to be made to the railways in north Wales, linking up with Merseyside and Manchester, as well as the A55. Those improvements, of course, can help to level up the region.
“Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the projects in north Wales identified in Sir Peter Hendy’s work will receive a fair chunk of the £20 million of development funding as part of the agenda, and will he commit to implementing the findings of Sir Peter Hendy’s final report when it is released in the summer?”
Responding, the Prime Minister said:
“We will look at what Sir Peter has to say. He has come up with some very interesting interim proposals, particularly about improving connectivity along the north Wales coastline - the routes into Merseyside.
“On the A55, there is a great opportunity to do that (improve it) if people will vote Conservative and vote for a Welsh Conservative Government on 6 May.”
Speaking afterwards, James said:
“In June 2020, the Prime Minister asked Sir Peter Hendy to explore ways in which transport can better connect Britain and I was extremely pleased when the interim report was published last month, that the findings are so favourable to North Wales.
“I subsequently met with rail minister Chris Heaton-Harris, along with Department for Transport officials, to discuss the next steps.
“Improved rail links between North Wales and Manchester, Liverpool and Crewe are long overdue. There have been decades of underinvestment, and this is a fantastic opportunity to level up and provide the people of North Wales with the rail services they need.”
