The Government need to urgently make clear what their plans are for improving a rail line which could help link Wrexham to the North West of England.
Wrexham MP Ian Lucas raised the Government’s plans for the Halton Curve, on Merseyside, during Welsh Questions this morning.
The proposals were unveiled by Chancellor George Osborne last week, a day after Mr Lucas had raised the issue in a Parliamentary debate on cross border transport links.
However, apart from a headline figure of investment, little further information about the proposals has been made available by the Government.
Mr Lucas told the House: “On Friday, I will visit Rossett to see the investment of £44 million by the Welsh Government in the dualling of Wrexham-Chester line, which was made a single line by the Tories in the 1980s. I welcome the investment announced by the Chancellor last week, but will the Secretary of State tell us when that will happen and when the Halton curve work will be done?”
In reply, Welsh Secretary David Jones said: “It is clearly intended to proceed as quickly as possible. Connectivity between Wrexham and Merseyside is extremely important. I welcome, of course, the belated investment by the Welsh Government, but there is more to be done, and I think the hon. Gentleman and I are agreed on the need to look at electrification further north.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr Lucas said: “The money for the Halton Curve is welcome, but is a quarter of the investment being put into Wrexham by the Welsh Government.
“It is also not clear at all what is being proposed, or indeed when it will happen. I have a wide range of organisations to discuss rail in recent months, and it is clear that there is an appetite to work together on this – something the Secretary of State for Wales acknowledged.
“For everyone to be able to work together, it is vital the Government makes clear its plans – and does so quickly.”
