Calls For Governments to Work Together to Secure Best Transport Deal For North Wales

The Welsh and UK Governments need to “jump together” to help secure the best deal for cross-party transport.

That is the view of Wrexham MP Ian Lucas who will this week be chairing a meeting of the new All Party Group for North Wales/Mersey Dee in Parliament.

Mr Lucas, joined a cross-party delegation of MPs last month to take the North Wales Economic Ambition board and council leaders from across the region to Number 11 Downing Street to meet the Chancellor and push for investment in cross-border transport projects

He is now calling for new Welsh Ministers to make the case for North Wales.

Mr Lucas said: “It is very good news that a Welsh Government is taking shape. Welsh Labour set out clear plans for transport in North Wales which were a big part of our Assembly Election Campaign, plans which were given the clear backing of North Wales voters where we held all of our Labour seats.

“What Ministers will now need to do is work with AMs and MPs in North Wales and across the border in England to make those proposals a reality, and to strengthen infrastructure across the region. There is a real sense of opportunity, with politicians from across the spectrum backing the proposals and forward-looking local Government involvement, as well as the support of business.

“I told the Chancellor last month that both the Welsh and UK Governments need to jump together to support the development of our transport infrastructure. People want to see these changes happen.

“I have met with Labour AMs to discuss transport and other issues, and I am very pleased that the Secretary from Economy and Transport is a North Wales AM – who understands what North Wales needs.”

Last week changes were made to train services across the region, with Arriva Trains Wales announcing that they were to increase their services between North Wales and Manchester Airport.

Across North Wales the number of services to and from Manchester Airport will increase from 17 to 57.