Mark Isherwood
North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has received a letter from Welsh Transport Minister, Edwina Hart AM, this week promising to review the proposed timetable changes from Arriva Trains Wales, which include axing the early morning train from Llandudno to Manchester.
Mr Isherwood wrote to the Minister after constituents contacted him expressing their concern that proposed timetables by the company show the 6.34am direct service is set to disappear.
In a letter of response received by Mr Isherwood this week, the Minister said she “fully recognises the importance of transport connectivity not only throughout Wales, but also across our border” and said that she has yet to receive any proposed timetable changes from Arriva, but that when she does “I can assure you and your constituent that we will review any timetable changes proposed to ensure they are compliant with the Wales and Borders franchise agreement.”
Mr Isherwood, who recently met with the UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin MP to support proposals for better North Wales rail connectivity, said:
“It is crucial that the Minister sticks to her word on this to ensure that North Wales commuters continue to have the early morning service they need.
“Although Arriva trains have said they will run a service to arrive in Manchester before 9am, rail users fear this will be the current direct 5.46am service, meaning an almost hour earlier start each day. People commuting to England from North Wales for work have long enough days and don’t need an additional five hours added to their working week.”
Mr Isherwood, who has also raised rail travellers concerns with Arriva Trains Wales and called for the company to review its proposed changes, added:
“On the one hand we have the UK Government investing to improve rail links between North Wales and England, recognising that a good rail service is critical in connecting businesses and individuals to markets and job opportunities, whilst on the other services are being cut and projects such as the redoubling of the line between Wrexham and Saltney have been reduced by Wales’s Transport Minister with funding redirected to the South.
“It is high time the Transport Minister followed the UK Government’s lead and gave the people of North Wales the rail service they need.”
