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Wales Online
04-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Work to upgrade North Wales cross border rail line given the go-ahead
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Work to transform the Wrexham to Liverpool line has been given the green light, with upgrades on the line at Padeswood confirmed. The Welsh Government says it is the first major step to realise more rail services between the two cities. Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates and Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens visited the site yesterday (Thursday) to see the planned upgrades. The Welsh Government says the UK Government has committed to supporting the work at Padeswood as part of last month's Comprehensive Spending Review. The overall UK Government investment in Welsh rail, worth at least £445 million, will see people across Wales benefit from better access to jobs and opportunities as a result of improved infrastructure and more frequent services . A Welsh Government statement said: "The work will see a major component of the Network North Wales vision delivered within three years, resulting in two trains an hour operating along the line. Padeswood also serves the Heidelberg cement works, and the upgrade will make it easier for freight to enter and exit the site." (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live) Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: 'Delivering the upgrade at Padeswood will bring real economic benefits, helping the cement works and improving connectivity between Wrexham and Liverpool, increasing services to two trains per hour. 'It was fantastic to hear the UK Government's commitment to this project, which campaigners have pushed for over many decades. Two governments, working in partnership, will deliver this key part of the Network North Wales. 'Network North Wales is about delivering an integrated, high-frequency public transport network, connecting people to jobs, opportunity, community and a better quality of life. "While Padeswood is predicted to be delivered in the next three years, more immediate changes include 50 per cent more trains on the North Wales mainline, more trains between Chester and Wrexham and the start of the roll out of Pay as You Go delivering better transport in the region.' Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: "The UK Government is investing in Wales' future and unleashing our country's economic potential. "We promised we would deal with the historical under-investment in Wales' rail network and announcing at least £445 million in the Spending Review delivered on that pledge. 'Working alongside Welsh Government it will mean brand-new stations, upgrades on the line in places like Padeswood and more and faster trains on the key lines across North and South Wales, connecting people with jobs and helping to grow the economy.' Work will now take place on the design of the scheme ahead of implementation. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
04-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Work to upgrade North Wales cross border rail line given the go-ahead
Work to transform the Wrexham to Liverpool line has been given the green light, with upgrades on the line at Padeswood confirmed. The Welsh Government says it is the first major step to realise more rail services between the two cities. Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates and Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens visited the site yesterday (Thursday) to see the planned upgrades. The Welsh Government says the UK Government has committed to supporting the work at Padeswood as part of last month's Comprehensive Spending Review. The overall UK Government investment in Welsh rail, worth at least £445 million, will see people across Wales benefit from better access to jobs and opportunities as a result of improved infrastructure and more frequent services . A Welsh Government statement said: "The work will see a major component of the Network North Wales vision delivered within three years, resulting in two trains an hour operating along the line. Padeswood also serves the Heidelberg cement works, and the upgrade will make it easier for freight to enter and exit the site." Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: 'Delivering the upgrade at Padeswood will bring real economic benefits, helping the cement works and improving connectivity between Wrexham and Liverpool, increasing services to two trains per hour. 'It was fantastic to hear the UK Government's commitment to this project, which campaigners have pushed for over many decades. Two governments, working in partnership, will deliver this key part of the Network North Wales. 'Network North Wales is about delivering an integrated, high-frequency public transport network, connecting people to jobs, opportunity, community and a better quality of life. "While Padeswood is predicted to be delivered in the next three years, more immediate changes include 50 per cent more trains on the North Wales mainline, more trains between Chester and Wrexham and the start of the roll out of Pay as You Go delivering better transport in the region.' Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: "The UK Government is investing in Wales' future and unleashing our country's economic potential. "We promised we would deal with the historical under-investment in Wales' rail network and announcing at least £445 million in the Spending Review delivered on that pledge. 'Working alongside Welsh Government it will mean brand-new stations, upgrades on the line in places like Padeswood and more and faster trains on the key lines across North and South Wales, connecting people with jobs and helping to grow the economy.' Work will now take place on the design of the scheme ahead of implementation.
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Welsh Government's 15 steps to improve train and bus services under 'Network North Wales'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Welsh Government has unveiled a 15 point plan to improve rail and bus services in North Wales. Cabinet Secretary for Transport Ken Skates said 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. There will be more rail and bus services and greater integration. Welsh Government says it aims to maximise opportunity and unlock the economic potential of North Wales and the cross-border region. 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. 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 Working with Network Rail to determine the feasibility of a rapid delivery of a new test railway station at Deeside Industrial Park, to gauge demand for permanent services to the park. A new, multi-million pound electrification innovation fund to develop a plan to decarbonise the railway in North Wales and enable more frequent metro services and additional stations Match funding for step-free access at Shotton and Ruabon stations. Working with local authorities to develop plans for Gateway multi-modal interchanges at Holyhead, Bangor, Caernarfon and Wrexham. A new T13 bus service - connecting Rhyl, Ruthin, Denbigh and Wrexham. Examining options to re-open stations and build new stations to serve employment growth areas. A new bus network specifically designed to link communities with industrial estates in the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone. The Welsh Government has committed an initial investment of over £13m to begin delivery immediately and will draw on other funding streams to make the vision a reality. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 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. We have already delivered significantly for South Wales with the South Wales Metro. Building on the £800m investment in new trains, the majority of which are already serving the North Wales region, now is the right time for North Wales to get the same level of ambition. 'More services. More new trains. A better railway for North Wales. And delivery at an unprecedented pace. 'This is a long term vision, which begins now with real changes. Including the roll out of Pay as You Go, – the tap on tap off deployment most of us only experience in London. Improved stations, increased services and an additional integrated bus service are all part of immediate changes over the next 12 months. 'It contains infrastructure priorities that have been agreed by UK and Welsh Governments, and re-confirms our long-held objective to electrify lines. This vision should outlast any single Minister, Government or economic and political circumstances. Working together, we'll deliver our ambitious plans that take us to 2035 and beyond. Rail Minister Lord Hendy said: 'We are determined to build a modern and integrated transport network across the whole of the UK, delivering our Plan for Change and driving economic growth by better connecting people to homes, jobs, education and business opportunities. 'Through close collaboration between our two governments, we're demonstrating how we can deliver a stronger, more connected rail network that truly meets passengers' needs and transforms everyday journeys across Wales. "Our collaborative approach will extend to these exciting proposals, which represent a significant opportunity to transform connectivity across the region and unlock new opportunities for communities.' The Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: 'Network North Wales is an exciting plan to deliver a better passenger experience across the region. Economic growth is the number one mission of the UK Government and improving transport is vital to achieve that ambition. 'Working in partnership with the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales we will connect people to a range of well-paid jobs across North Wales, thousands of which will be created by our Wrexham and Flintshire Investment Zone and our Freeport in Anglesey.' Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
