£280,000 of improvement works announced for “Borderlands line” between Wrexham and Upton

Thirteen stations along the “Borderlands line” between Wrexham and Upton are next in line for improvement as Transport for Wales continues its plans to make stations better, more welcoming places.

This morning Minister Ken Skates AM, along with Wrexham’s AM Lesley Griffiths, met with high level officials from Transport for Wales to announce the £280,000 investment on station improvements.

Work begins at Neston at the end of this month before progressing along the other 12 TfW managed stations on the route over the next nine months.

The investment is part of a wider £194 million ‘Station Improvement Vision‘ across all 247 stations.

Customers using the stations can expect to see the following:

• Deep cleaning
• Rebranding of shelters
• Cutting back overgrown vegetation
• Station rebranding in the new Transport for Wales colours
• New signage
• Relining of car parks

We took the chance to ask Ken Skates AM about the announcement, including if the ‘deep cleaning’ should be under general maintenance. With TfW celebrating its first birthday we asked for his thoughts on how the year had gone, as well noting a recent petition about service changes which will affect Chirk / Ruabon to allow a Holyhead to Cardiff train through.

As we were close to the Racecourse and Mold Road, we also asked him (and later Lesley Griffiths AM) about the ‘gateway’ project that could see the station becoming part of a wider redevelopment and ‘transport hub’.

Speaking about the announcement today Customer Experience Director for Transport for Wales, Colin Lea, said the work was “another important step in rolling out improvements to people across the network”.

He said: “Our station improvement vision really is for everybody and will make such a difference to the impression customers get when using our services and travelling to or from the communities we serve.

“The Borderlands line provides a vital link between north Wales and the Wirral, connecting communities to mainline services which is so important for those economies.”

Ken Skates, Minister for Transport and Economy, added: “These are significant improvements in the short-term and the long-term, complementing the plans for better transport and business links around the station as part of the Wrexham Gateway Project.

“It is a clear example of the difference Transport for Wales are making and form part of the exciting and ambitious plans for rail travel in this region. We’ve been clear on the need for infrastructure improvements in North Wales and this investment along the Borderlands line will deliver significant benefits for passengers.”

Longer term there will be further investment in the stations from different funding streams within the station improvement budget that will see:

• New CCTV cameras
• Improved customer information screens
• Additional platform seating
• Refurbished waiting rooms

The investment has been welcomed locally too with Councillor David A Bithell, Wrexham County Borough Council’s Lead Member for environment and transport saying: “Cleaner, safer and more welcoming places encourages people to use public transport. The Wrexham to Bidston railway is key given the commitment of future 30 minute services in the new franchise as well as new trains being introduced along this route.”