Mark Isherwood
The Transport Minister for Wales has been criticised by North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood for dismissing North Wales concerns about the redoubling of the Wrexham to Saltney Rail Line.
Originally 7.5 miles of the line was to be redoubled, but the Welsh Government revealed before Christmas that this has now been reduced by two miles.
Challenging the Transport Minister, Edwina Hart, on the matter in the Assembly Chamber this week, Mr Isherwood highlighted the fact the number of people travelling to and from Wrexham by train will increase when the new prison opens and asked the Minister if she would therefore review her decision on the track improvements.
Speaking in the Chamber he said:
“What consideration did you give to the number of rail travellers who will be visiting the new prison in Wrexham when you made the decision to reduce the redoubling of the line between Wrexham and Chester by two miles, halving future capacity on the line? If such consideration could not have been given at that time, will you review that now?”
The Minister replied:
“I assume that you are talking about the Wrexham-Saltney rail project. I am content that the benefits of that project are on schedule and I am very happy with the decision that I have made.”
Mr Isherwood added:
“The Minister may be happy with the decision she made to cut the Wrexham to Saltney rail redoubling and ignore the impact of the new prison, but North Wales is not.
“This is the same Minister who cut the ribbon on a redoubling of rail track in her own constituency last July as part of a £28m project and it seems unlikely that rail services would not have been planned for if the new prison was being built in South Wales.”
