Regional Leaders Call for North Wales Transport Infrastructure Modernisation

The North Wales Regional Leadership Board has commissioned regional bodies to campaign for investment in the Transport Infrastructure of North Wales.

Councillor Dilwyn Roberts, Chair of the North Wales Regional Leadership Board and Leader of Conwy County Borough Council said “The Welsh Government has started work on a business case for the modernisation of the railway infrastructure in North Wales.”

Leaders have asked two regional committees, the Taith Regional Transport Consortium and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, to work with the Welsh Government to build up a detailed case for investment in the rail infrastructure of North Wales. When complete the Business Case will be submitted by the Welsh Government to the UK Department for Transport for a decision.”

“There is an urgent need to improve the connectivity of North Wales to the rest of the UK rail network in order to maintain the competitiveness of the region as a destination for business investment and tourism. I am particularly keen for North Wales to obtain electrification of the Holyhead to Crewe railway line to facilitate trade between Ireland and the UK.”

Councillor Mike Priestley, Chair of Taith said “Taith will represent the six North Wales Councils on the Welsh Government’s Programme Board to develop the detailed business case for rail modernisation in North Wales.”

The process for obtaining investment in rail infrastructure is highly competitive. North Wales must make the best case possible and seek wide support for it both in and beyond Wales. Taith will work as part of “Team North Wales” to make the best possible case for the investment we need.”

Councillor Hugh Evans, Chair of the Economic Ambition Board and Leader of Denbighshire County Council said “The North Wales Economic Ambition Board is working to improve inward investment and accelerate economic growth in North Wales. We have identified the current transport infrastructure as a barrier for growth and we will be lobbying for more investment in both the roads and railways.

The Economic Ambition Board will

• Work with Taith to identify the transport investments we believe necessary to maintain and grow the economy of North Wales including modernisation of our main railway lines (Holyhead to Crewe and Wrexham to Bidston).
• Provide the Welsh Government with information on our plans for economic growth.
• Supply economic data that demonstrates the need for investment in Transport Infrastructure to kick-start economic growth in North Wales.

For example, North Wales has the lowest GDP per head in Wales and Welsh GDP per head is the lowest in the UK. Ten Years ago North Wales was top of the table for inward investment in the UK. Now North Wales is bottom of the inward investment league table. Infrastructure investment is crucial to moving North Wales off the bottom of the economic performance tables.

Councillor Herbert Manley, Chair of the Mersey – Dee Alliance (MDA), said “The MDA speaks for the only economic sub-region in the UK divided by a national, administrative border. I welcome working closely with the North Wales Regional Leadership Board to improve the economic development of our areas.”

“The Mersey Dee Alliance and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board will work together to build political and business support for investment in our shared strategic transport infrastructure.”