Rail transport improvements in North Wales and North West England, which edged a little closer following publication of the Union Connectivity Review (UCR), have been welcomed by the Growth Track 360 (GT360) partnership. A number of issues, however, remain unresolved.
In response to the UCR's publication the UK Government confirmed, on 7 December 2023, that there would be a £1bn allocation of funding from Network North to allow the electrification of the North Wales Coast Main Line.
The UCR was established in order to make recommendations regarding strengthening transport links between UK nations. Led by Lord Peter Hendy, it reported in November 2021.
Electrification of the North Wales Coast Line featured in the report, along with improvements to ‘multi-modal' transport links between North Wales and North West England. The report also highlighted improved connectivity with Crewe and Warrington to connect with HS2 as well as increased capacity on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) north of Crewe to allow easier access for passengers in North Wales travelling to Northern England and Scotland.
GT360 comprises business and local authority leaders from North Wales, Wirral and Cheshire West and Chester.
Councillor Louise Gittins, GT360 Chair and Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “There are positives for the GT360 geography in the government's UCR response. It has confirmed the £1bn allocation for electrification of the North Wales Coast Main Line from the recently announced Network North Programme. The UCR also enabled development funding for business case work on North Wales Coast Main Line capacity and Chester and Shotton stations.
“The government response does not respond positively to all of the UCR's recommendations to improve cross-border links. There is no commitment to support the proposed non-rail ‘multi-modal' investments to improve connectivity along the A55 corridor. The cancellation of HS2 will put more pressure on the WCML. This could lead to reduced services and longer journey times in the future for long-distance passengers from North Wales, Wirral and Cheshire due to growing congestion on the WCML between Birmingham, Crewe and Manchester.
“GT 360 will work with partners to realise Lord Hendy's recommendations that future capacity on the WCML is improved. Capacity upgrades to the WCML will mitigate the risk that an upgraded North Wales and Chester network, financed from Network North, connects to a congested WCML unable to cope with additional traffic.”
Councillor David Bithell, a Board Member of GT360 and Deputy Leader of Wrexham Council, added: “GT360 welcomes the focus of the UCR response on connectivity between Holyhead, Wrexham, Crewe and Warrington via Chester to bring parts of North Wales within an hour's journey time of Manchester.
“The £1bn capital allocation for North Wales in Network North is the opportunity to deliver the much-needed upgrades to the North Wales Coast main line, Chester Station and the Wrexham to Liverpool (via Bidston) line that will enable more frequent and faster electrified services. This £1bn investment will enable the sustainable growth of business and tourism in North Wales. It is therefore critical that a political consensus of all parties is developed in support of the £1bn allocation in Network North for North Wales.”
Ashley Rogers, GT360 Business Representative and Chief Executive, North Wales Business Council, said: “The UCR funded early phase business case work for the North Wales Coast Main Line, Chester Station and Shotton Station. These studies have been completed and are now with the UK Department of Transport for a decision.
“GT360 calls for the early implementation of the proposals in Network North and the Union Connectivity Review to improve the rail connectivity of North Wales with Crewe, Warrington and Manchester. This requires further funding for development work on the four key priorities of improving capacity and line speeds on the North Wales Coast Main Line, modernising Chester Station and expanding its capacity for through services to and from North Wales, electrifying the North Wales lines from Holyhead to Crewe and Warrington via Chester and resolving congestion at the Padeswood Cement works and improving capacity and line speeds on the Borderlands Line (Wrexham to Liverpool via Bidston)
“These investment priorities form the North Wales and Mersey Dee input to the Network North Programme. Their delivery is urgent to transform regional economic performance and decarbonise transport.”
Another complete and utter waste of taxpayers money. Overhead electrification is not needed on this route. Its just a vanity project, a sop to the Welsh Assembly. I wish people could get it into their heads that o/h electrification is not the be-all and end-all insofar as railways are concerned. It is downright ugly and a real blot on the landscape. I would much rather see this ridiculous amount of money spent on something worthwhile like the re-opening of a closed railway route where people currently do not have access to a railway. The modern railway in a large part is a depressingly ugly beast.
Be great if it really happens, the tories promise NW railway upgrades before every election, then quietly drop the idea.
What about Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury to Crewe being electrified
It’s only going to be Crewe – Chester – Holyhead (not inc Llandudno branch), but a shame it doesn’t inc Chester – Warrington!
Let hope its sensible electrification as BR did North of Weaver Junction, not the hugely over engineered GW stuff, or they would run out of money by Rhyl!
Wiring Warrington Bank Quay to Chester will bring benefits. This would be a start. However don’t hold your breath for the whole of North Wales Coast line, look how long it has taken to electrify Trans Pennine.
Electrifying Chester to Crewe and Chester to WBQ ought to be a priority for the Newtwork North / UCR money, along with the improvements within Wales as well, especially the Wrexham to Bidston line, and Shotton Interchange. But you’re right; I think it will be a while before it’s electrified to Holyhead. Tory promises on trains are like pie crusts.
Will this enable, or force, more long-distance trains to go to Crewe rather than crawling to Shrewsbury and beyond? Crewe is a far more important destination for customers yet most trains reverse at Chester forcing a change.
Not before time,,,wonder how long it will be before any work commences before the money gets allocated elsewhere,,,
Steve, probably far too sensible to be considered!!!!!
Surely they would electrify the short branch from LLJ to LLD as well considering the terminating services there?