The first six months of Network North Wales have delivered significant improvements to public transport, including new train and bus services and upgraded station infrastructure, with more developments on the way.
Network North Wales is a long-term vision to create an integrated, high-frequency public transport network across the region.
To celebrate the milestone, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates travelled on a newly wrapped train on the renamed Wrexham to Liverpool line. The train’s design reflects locations along the route, chosen following passenger consultation.
Key achievements so far include:
- New bus service T51 launched in September, providing an hourly connection between Rhyl and Wrexham, with a new double-deck fleet arriving in the new year.
- Station improvements, including new shelters along the Wrexham–Liverpool line and the unveiling of the refurbished Flint station, delivered by Network Rail.
- From Sunday, the new timetable will double train services on the Wrexham–Chester line to two trains per hour, alongside additional services on the Wrexham–Liverpool line, including an early morning train from Bidston and a later train from Wrexham.
Ken Skates, Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, commented:
“With our £800m investment in new trains we are able to see an increase in services which is already being delivered in this December’s timetable change, and we’ll see further changes in May with a 50 per cent increase in services along the North Wales coast mainline.
“With a new bus service in place, and improvements made to station infrastructure we are already delivering at pace.
“Next year we’ll also start to see the beginning of the rollout of Pay as You Go in the north east, which will make public transport even more convenient to use.
“A key part of Network North Wales is linking with the wider North West of England region and beyond, and today I will also meet with representatives from the region as we discuss how we can make further progress to benefit both our areas.
“Network North Wales began as a vision, and is now being delivered, with more to come over the coming months.”
Further enhancements are planned as part of the programme’s commitment to better connectivity, greener travel, and improved passenger experience across North Wales.
Image credit: iStock
