Enterprise and Learning Committee

EL(3) 03-07(p7) : 19 September 2007

Taith submission

• The aspirations of the Taith Consortium for rail services in the region are set out in the Taith Rail Strategy. This has been revised to take account of recent developments and is informing the Regional Transport Plan. It states Taith’s vision for rail services to and from North Wales. A copy is attached to this submission and an earlier version was provided to those producing the Wales Rail Planning Assessment (WRPA).
• In support of the  Taith Rail Strategy, this document has been written to draw the Committee’s attention to a number of particular issues and to explain their inclusion in the strategy.

Borderlands Electrification.

• The Borderlands Line runs from Wrexham to Bidston where connections are made with the Merseyrail network to Birkenhead and Liverpool. For many years it was a forgotten link operating on a minimum service level at minimum cost. In recent years a considerable amount of work has been done to improve station facilities and to develop the marketing of the line through an active Community Rail Partnership. The line serves areas in North East Wales which have enjoyed successful economic development and future economic growth is seen to be closely linked to the improvement of the Borderlands railway line. It parallels roads suffering from serious congestion and an electric train service operating at improved frequencies would make an impact on this problem with associated environmental benefits. It could also provide excellent links to Merseyside if the unpopular connection at Bidston could be removed and the service integrated with the Merseyrail electric network, improving the cohesion of the sub-region.
• Taith and Merseyside P.T.E. (Merseytravel) have funded a detailed study which indicated a positive economic case for the full electrification of the line. The Welsh Assembly Government and Merseytravel have funded Network Rail to carry out additional work to clarify the cost of electrification. This work should be completed shortly.
• Merseytravel have included the scheme in their current Local Transport Plan and are totally committed to funding the electrification of the English section of the line. In the Wales Rail Planning Assessment, the electrification of the Borderlands Line is included as a possible scheme after 2014. This is not considered acceptable to Taith and it is strongly urged that it be moved forward into the period up to 2014 to coincide with English funding arrangements.
• Taith has also assisted in the funding of a major study into the potential for developing the Chester to Shrewsbury line. A very comprehensive study has been produced which recommends a range of improvements including a number of new stations and proposals to increase capacity on the single line section between Chester and Wrexham. This single line places significant restrictions on the level of service that can be operated and on the acceleration of trains between north and south Wales. Taith strongly advocates further work being carried out to take forward the recommendations of the report.
• As Wales develops as a devolved country it is important that transport links within Wales are improved. It is also important that an emphasis is placed on sustainable modes. Taith therefore places considerable importance on improving the journey time, the timetable and the quality of rail services between North and South Wales. It is believed that in the short term improvements can be made for business and public sector travellers at relatively low cost and within existing resources. The current first train south from Holyhead leaves North Wales extremely early and arrives in Cardiff well before most business meetings start. Taith has made proposals to Arriva Trains Wales for the revision of the early morning timetable. In the longer term Taith supports a programme of work to enable faster journey times and improve the quality of the rolling stock.
• From January 2009 Virgin Trains will be operating every hour from Chester to London with journey times of just under 2 hours. A few of these trains will extend along the North Wales coast but west of Chester are unable to make use of their high speed capability due to speed restrictions and signalling constraints. These through trains to London are very important to the business and tourist economies of North Wales and to secure their future a programme of line speed and journey time improvements are required along the North Wales Coast.  
• Consideration has been given over a lengthy period to the potential for the use of the Conwy Valley line for the extraction of slate waste from Blaenau Ffestiniog. Taith believes that it is important that this work is concluded as soon as possible so that decisions can be made about the future use of the line. The Consortium itself supports the proposal.  
• Taith has a number of general concerns about the Wales Rail Planning Assessment (WRPA).
• If it is recognised that the actual rate of growth in demand for rail services has already exceeded forecasts (page 7), why is the WRPA still persisting with a High Growth Scenario that is lower than current trends?
• With economic growth in Wales rising steadily since 1990, culminating with an increase of 2.8% per annum in 2004 and 2005 (page 47), it is perverse to suggest that this should drop to around 2% per annum between 2006 and 2015 and that an even more conservative approach has been adopted beyond then. This significant underestimate will impact on the projected use of rail and will undoubtedly have a regressive affect on the investment that is planned as a result.
• Economic growth in Wales varies significantly but to take Wales as a whole when planning for future rail investment (page 47), will almost certainly understate the position and the need for greater investment in North East Wales, where the economy is much more buoyant.
• Although the WRPA has been published, it must still be seen as a live document and Taith looks forward to being involved in further discussions about its content.
• Taith has expressed concern in the past about the lack of coordination between Arriva Trains Wales and Virgin services along the North Wales Coast. The improved co-operation between the two operators for the 2009 timetable brokered by WAG and involving Taith is much welcomed.
• North Wales is remote geographically from Cardiff and the transport links can be difficult. It is important that this does not restrict engagement between Taith, Welsh Assembly Government and Arriva Trains Wales. The members of Taith believe strongly in the need for improved rail services in North Wales and wish to be involved at a significant level in their development.

Trans European Network (TEN-T).

• The North Wales Main Line is on one of the 30 EU Priority Transport Routes (Number 26), running from Holyhead - Crewe and forms part of the wider strategic road / rail route running from Dublin to the gateway East Coast ports of Hull and Felixstowe.
• In recognition of its importance to North Wales, a Taith TEN-T workshop held near Holyhead in May 2007.at which a number of stakeholders including the Irish Government Exporters Association, Network Rail, Freight Transport Association, Rail Freight Group, North West Regional Assembly and Welsh Assembly Government attended. It is the aspiration of the Taith to further develop its links with the Port of Holyhead and Irish stakeholders to investigate the strategic importance of this international trade corridor with by
• means of a strategic feasibility study which could include a TEN-T funding bid. The significance of the importance of key cross border infrastructure which would include corridors such as the North Wales Main Line was recognised by a recent communiqué of the British Irish Council held on the 16^th July in Belfast, attended by the Deputy First Minister. The communiqué confirmed the importance of the vital role of planning, developing and integrating these links which were seen as important for the movement of people and goods and the promotion of investment, trade and tourism.
• At Holyhead, on this key corridor there is a project known as the Celtic Gateway. This involves the extension of the A55 into the Port of Holyhead which requires the relocation of the train maintenance depot in order to unlock access into the Port and to enable other further re-development.
• As part of this TEN-T study, there is a longer term opportunity to look at the electrification of the North Wales Main line combined with significant upgrading of line speeds to 125mph. The opportunity to investigate this potential to significantly improve both the national and international connectivity into the upgraded West Coast Main line (with a potential or a High Speed 2) connecting into High Speed 1 at St Pancras and on into the European High Speed network would connect North Wales to the developing backbone of the European High Speed rail network. Any corridor improvements would also enable benefit for rail freight.

12^th September 2007-09-12

Cllr Trevor Roberts, Chair Taith