Clwyd West AM Darren Millar, who has been campaigning for years to get a direct rail service between North Wales and Liverpool reinstated, is disappointed that the Transport Minister made no reference to this when she provided an update on Transport Policy in the Assembly Chamber this week.
North Wales has not enjoyed a direct rail link with Liverpool since the 1970s, when it was incredibly popular for shoppers, commuters and tourists.
Darren has long been calling for the service to be re-established and was hoping the Transport Minister would provide an update on developments in this area in her Statement.
Addressing the Minister in the Senedd, Darren said:
“One thing that you did not mention, or provide an update on, was the potential for a direct rail link to Liverpool. As you know, Liverpool is an extremely important commercial centre for the people of north Wales, and the north Wales tourism industry relies significantly on people visiting from Liverpool and the wider Merseyside area. So, I wonder what discussions you and your officials may have been having with the Department for Transport in the UK regarding the re-establishment of that direct link along the Halton curve.”
The Minister responded by indicating that she would ask the Ministerial Taskforce on North Wales Transport, which was established to make the case for electrification of the North Wales rail line, to add the issue to their agenda.
Darren added:
“As a large commercial centre with strong links to North Wales, there is no doubt that improving the transport infrastructure between Liverpool and North Wales would provide a much needed boost to the economy. Whilst I welcome the fact that the Minister will now ensure that this issue is given serious consideration, this should not have been an afterthought, especially given that the North East Wales Integrated Transport Task Force Report recognised this and recommended last summer that the line should be reinstated.
“I have been campaigning for years for the reinstatement of this service and I will continue pressing the Welsh Government to take this issue forward.”
