27.09.16
MPs back campaign for £1bn rail improvements in North Wales and Cheshire
A local MPs’ group has backed a campaign for ambitious investment in rail networks in North Wales and Cheshire.
Ian Lucas, MP for Wrexham and chair of the North Wales and Mersey Dee All Party Parliamentary Group, wrote to Cllr Samantha Dixon, chair of the North Wales and Mersey Dee Rail (NW&MD) Task Force, backing the Growth Track 360 campaign.
Growth Track 360 is calling for £1bn worth of improvements, including the electrification of the line from Crewe to North Wales so the region can be linked to HS2, and creating new services between Liverpool and Liverpool Airport to North Wales and Wrexham via Chester.
In his letter, Lucas said: “Currently our rail network is uncompetitive with the motor car and is unable to make a significant contribution to economic growth. Your proposals will enable better connectivity with the cities driving the Northern Powerhouse concept and their airports, Manchester and Liverpool.
“They will enable better movement within the region to access employment and visitor attractions. We are very excited by proposals to connect up to seven major enterprise zones from Anglesey to Warrington, including employment growth zones in Deeside, Wrexham, Chester, Birkenhead and Ellesmere Port.”
Growth Track 360, which is being led by a cross-border alliance of business, political and public sector leaders, also wants to double the trains between the North Wales Coast Line and Wrexham to Manchester and Liverpool and invest in new rolling stock.
It says the improvements will boost the GVA of the region to £50.5bn and establish 70,000 jobs in the next 20 years.
Cllr Dixon said: “Such great support from the All Party Parliamentary Group is fantastic for our campaign, representing as it does MPs from all the different political parties with constituencies across the whole area of North Wales, the Wirral and Cheshire. This shows that members of the Houses of Commons and Lords all recognise the significance of this campaign.
“This is a campaign which has the potential to truly transform the lives of people across the wider region and beyond. If successful, Growth Track 360 will future-proof the region’s transport infrastructure and deliver, a connected, collaborative and effective network that will enable our companies and industry to broaden their horizons and compete effectively on a national and global scale.”
Ashley Rogers, chair of the North Wales Business Council, said the investment has the potential to revitalise the regional economy and give it a much-needed and long-awaited shot in the arm. He added that members of the public and local business leaders could pledge to support Growth Track 360 on the campaign’s website.
The Rail Task Force also secured the support of Ken Skates, the Welsh cabinet secretary for economy and infrastructure, following a meeting.
Skates said: “I am committed to supporting and working closely with the Rail Task Force to make this vision happen and to develop and deliver improvements. I also continue to press the UK government to direct a fair share of its rail investment to Wales, including funding to electrify the North Wales mainline.”
(Image c. oxyman from Creative Commons)
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