AN initial report has been published by the North Wales Transport Commission, which was set up in 2022 following conclusions reached in the Union Connectivity Review, that rail services needed improvement to raise economic conditions in coastal resorts served by the route. As well as proposals to establish a metro network based on Chester, there has been an acknowledgement that the train timetable does not allow access to employment opportunities in Wales and North West England, such as the Airbus factory near Chester and Manchester airport.
The closed station at Llangefni, Anglesey, seen in March 2011. Reopening part of the Amlwch branch could be an easy win for improving transport links in North
Wales. RICHARD LAWSON (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The initial report does not look at cross-border deficiencies but concentrates on capacity improvement at Chester to provide a better frequency for trains serving Wrexham, and improvement and potential electrification of the Borderlands Line that connects with the Merseyrail network at Bidston.