Latest news with #PublicTransportSummit
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Manchester Airport travel to get easier for holidaymakers in parts of North Wales
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Holidaymakers in northwest Wales could find it easier to reach Manchester Airport from next year. From May 2026 Transport for Wales is planning to extend its direct rail services from the airport to Holyhead via Bangor. At present, the aim is to include stops in Penmaenmawr, Conwy and Llanfairfechan. Transport for Wales has said the plans are 'subject to industry processes' with the May 2026 timetable yet to be validated. While the extended rail connections are potentially good news for some passengers, the service will be re-routed away from Deganwy and Llandudno. This was confirmed last month by transport minister Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport & North Wales, at Wales' first Public Transport Summit in Wrexham. Existing stations on the route include Shotton, Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Abergele & Pensarn, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno Junction. Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders lobbied Transport for Wales to ensure the three new stops were included in Conwy. She argued it would have been 'extremely frustrating' for local residents to have to travel to Bangor or Llandudno Junction to catch a direct train when they have stations on their doorsteps. Ms Finch-Saunders said there had been a possibility airport trains would not stop in Conwy town, which she described as 'one of the leading destinations and attractions of the whole of Wales'. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now She said: 'Over a quarter of a million visit Conwy Castle every year. Clearly, it is common sense for Conwy town to have a direct service to Manchester Airport. It will provide one of our nation's most important destinations with an international gateway, and enable even more to visit the area on public transport.' Transport for Wales (TfW) is seeking match funding for step-free access at Shotton and Ruabon stations. Residents in Penmaenmawr have pointed out there is also a need to improve access at the town's station if the new Manchester Airport service is to be a success. Online, frustrated travellers say they struggle to cross over the station bridge to the platform opposite – especially those with wheelchairs and prams. It's feared holidaymakers with heavy suitcases may also struggle. One mum said: 'I have to take my daughter out of her wheelchair, carry her round to the other side with my 3 year-old and leave them in the shelter unattended whilst I go back and get the wheelchair. Something needs to be done.' Another agreed: 'It is ridiculous trying to get over with children. I have to take my baby over with my 8 year-old then go back for the pram and it is dangerous. I am currently pregnant too and God knows how I will manage getting the train without another adult to help me. It is 21st century, there should be access for disabled people and families.' A man said this issue should be addressed so that 'people can get to work and hospital meetings before providing trains for people who can afford holidays'. Ms Finch-Saunders fought unsuccessfully to retain Llandudno on the Manchester Airport route. However TfW is aiming to introduce a new service from the resort to Liverpool next year. Other rail changes in the pipeline include a 50% increase in the number of services across the North Wales line from December 2026 to May 2026. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Train services between Wrexham and Chester will be doubled in May 2026. There will also be a through service between Wrexham and Liverpool, with the longer-term goal of running four trains per hour by 2035. The aim is to create 'metro style' train services on the North Wales line and the Marches line from Chester to Wrexham. TfW is also examining options to re-open stations and build new stations in employment growth areas. A 'test' station' at Deeside Industrial Park is being considered to gauge demand for permanent services there. Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Manchester Airport travel to get easier for holidaymakers in parts of North Wales
Holidaymakers in northwest Wales could find it easier to reach Manchester Airport from next year. From May 2026 Transport for Wales is planning to extend its direct rail services from the airport to Holyhead via Bangor. At present, the aim is to include stops in Penmaenmawr, Conwy and Llanfairfechan. Transport for Wales has said the plans are 'subject to industry processes' with the May 2026 timetable yet to be validated. While the extended rail connections are potentially good news for some passengers, the service will be re-routed away from Deganwy and Llandudno. This was confirmed last month by transport minister Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport & North Wales, at Wales' first Public Transport Summit in Wrexham. Existing stations on the route include Shotton, Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Abergele & Pensarn, Colwyn Bay and Llandudno Junction. Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders lobbied Transport for Wales to ensure the three new stops were included in Conwy. She argued it would have been 'extremely frustrating' for local residents to have to travel to Bangor or Llandudno Junction to catch a direct train when they have stations on their doorsteps. Ms Finch-Saunders said there had been a possibility airport trains would not stop in Conwy town, which she described as 'one of the leading destinations and attractions of the whole of Wales'. She said: 'Over a quarter of a million visit Conwy Castle every year. Clearly, it is common sense for Conwy town to have a direct service to Manchester Airport. It will provide one of our nation's most important destinations with an international gateway, and enable even more to visit the area on public transport.' Transport for Wales (TfW) is seeking match funding for step-free access at Shotton and Ruabon stations. Residents in Penmaenmawr have pointed out there is also a need to improve access at the town's station if the new Manchester Airport service is to be a success. Online, frustrated travellers say they struggle to cross over the station bridge to the platform opposite – especially those with wheelchairs and prams. It's feared holidaymakers with heavy suitcases may also struggle. One mum said: 'I have to take my daughter out of her wheelchair, carry her round to the other side with my 3 year-old and leave them in the shelter unattended whilst I go back and get the wheelchair. Something needs to be done.' Another agreed: 'It is ridiculous trying to get over with children. I have to take my baby over with my 8 year-old then go back for the pram and it is dangerous. I am currently pregnant too and God knows how I will manage getting the train without another adult to help me. It is 21st century, there should be access for disabled people and families.' A man said this issue should be addressed so that 'people can get to work and hospital meetings before providing trains for people who can afford holidays'. Ms Finch-Saunders fought unsuccessfully to retain Llandudno on the Manchester Airport route. However TfW is aiming to introduce a new service from the resort to Liverpool next year. Other rail changes in the pipeline include a 50% increase in the number of services across the North Wales line from December 2026 to May 2026. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Train services between Wrexham and Chester will be doubled in May 2026. There will also be a through service between Wrexham and Liverpool, with the longer-term goal of running four trains per hour by 2035. The aim is to create 'metro style' train services on the North Wales line and the Marches line from Chester to Wrexham. TfW is also examining options to re-open stations and build new stations in employment growth areas. A 'test' station' at Deeside Industrial Park is being considered to gauge demand for permanent services there.
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
MS update on bespoke bus network for Wrexham and Flintshire
Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales An ambitious vision to deliver an integrated transport network for North Wales – with frequent metro services at its heart – was unveiled by the Welsh Government in Wrexham recently. Network North Wales is a bold, passenger-focused programme of work to better connect communities – with more rail and bus services and greater integration. I outlined our plans at Wales' first ever Public Transport Summit, which was held at Wrexham University. They aim to maximise opportunity and unlock the economic potential of North Wales. Far too many people – particularly young people – are being cut out of the jobs market because they can't access reliable transport. Utilising the recent designation of Flintshire and Wrexham as an Investment Zone by the UK Government, we've worked very closely with Transport for Wales, Flintshire Council and Wrexham Council to develop a bespoke bus network which will link local people with centres of employment like Wrexham Industrial Estate and Deeside Industrial Park. The Welsh Government's vision will drive economic growth in the region. We are already introducing new legislation to regulate the bus network, which will be redesigned to help people into work. Network North Wales will also see metro-style train services on the North Wales mainline, the Marches line (Chester-Wrexham) and a new, direct rail link between Wrexham and Liverpool. Immediate changes are being delivered, with a raft of further improvements planned over the next 12 months, three years and through to 2035. Longer-term objectives include reopening closed stations, creating new stations and exploring the role of new transport modes such as tram trains. If you're a constituent of Clwyd South and need help or advice, email or call 01978 869058. I also have a surgery in Rhosllanerchrugog on July 18, so please get in touch with my office for details and to book an appointment.
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Lesley Griffiths MS says Wrexham is 'on the rise' in update
MS for Wrexham Wrexham hosted Wales' first Public Transport Summit at the end of last month. It was a pleasure to be part of the two-day event that was held at Wrexham University and brought together both Wales and England's influential transport and business leaders. A highlight of the summit was the launch of Network North Wales, a hugely ambitious and transformative programme of work that aims to better connect communities, with more rail and bus services, new stations, new transport routes, new trains, new buses and new technology. At its heart will be a world class, cross-border Metro service linking Wrexham and Liverpool. Collaboration is key and the programme outlines a series of short-term, medium-term and long-term targets. There was a further boost last week with the UK Government announcing an extra £445m for new rail projects across Wales as part of its spending review. Wrexham is on the rise and delivering a modern, integrated transport network in the years ahead will be a game-changer for our city and region. Details of the vision for the programme and the delivery plan for Network North Wales can be found online. In October 2024, Kellanova, or Kellogg's as its more commonly known, announced a £75m investment to transform the Wrexham plant into Europe's largest cereal factory. This investment was Kellanova's largest single investment in British cereal production in more than 30 years and will create 130 jobs. Andrew Ranger MP and I recently had the pleasure of visiting the site on the Wrexham Industrial Estate to see firsthand how the investment is directly leading to new jobs, including new apprenticeships. So far, Kellanova has received over 1,000 job applications for operational, maintenance, and functional support roles. It has also increased the number of engineering apprentices within the company this year as part of its longer-term organisation planning on the back of the investment. During our visit, we observed the cereal production line and had the opportunity to meet a number of the new engineering apprentices. Kellogg's has been a cornerstone of the local economy for decades and it is wonderful to see a major employer investing in Wrexham's future. I look forward to seeing further investment and growth at the site for generations to come. As always, if you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: or call 01978 355743.
Rhyl Journal
29-05-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
New Llandudno to Liverpool train service welcomed by MS
This announcement from the Welsh Government is part of a campaign by the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders. Ms Finch-Saunders said: "Llandudno is one of the United Kingdom's leading tourist destinations, seeing around 10 million visitors annually. "People travel here from all over the world, but we do owe a particular thanks to residents of North West England. "To help ensure that more can travel via public transport to Llandudno, it is common sense to increase the number of direct rail destinations, such as by adding Liverpool. "This will also be of major benefit to constituents who currently have to change in Chester if they want to go shopping in the so-called capital of North Wales. "I am delighted that my campaign has helped secure a direct connection to the regional capital." The news comes after the Welsh Government confirmed plans to create a high-frequency public transport network for North Wales. Improvements are planned over the next year, the next three years and up to 2035. The news was announced at the first-ever Public Transport Summit in Wrexham last week by Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates. He said: "UK Government, local government, Transport for Wales and English local authorities are working with us to deliver this bold programme of work to better connect communities, with more rail and bus services and greater integration, new stations, new transport routes, new trains, new buses, new technology. "A network of public transport services that will include cross-border turn-up and go bus and rail services, extending the Northern Arc from Hull to Holyhead. "With unprecedented partnership across governments, across borders and across the north, we have the opportunity to turn dreams into reality, to deliver on an enduring vision for what our a public transport network should look like. "Most importantly, we have an opportunity to deliver the principal purpose of public transport - to drive economic growth and prosperity for all. "We have already delivered significantly for South Wales with the South Wales Metro. "Building on the £800m investment in new trains, the majority of which are already serving the North Wales region, now is the right time for North Wales to get the same level of ambition. "More services. More new trains. A better railway for North Wales."
