Media centre

Friday 31 Mar 2017

Network Rail carries out work in North Wales to provide a more reliable railway

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Welsh Government Economy and Infrastructure Secretary, Ken Skates AM joined Andy Thomas, route managing director for Network Rail Wales, to see how railway improvements are benefiting North Wales.

During a visit to Road Rail Cranes, in Wrexham, the Minister was able to see first-hand how investment in the North Wales railway is boosting the supply chain as he opened a new test track facility.  

The test track has been specifically designed and installed to enable testing of Rail machinery and for the training of rail staff.

Economy and Infrastructure Secretary Ken Skates said: “I’m delighted to open this new test track here in Wrexham and to see first-hand the progress being made on this section of track in North Wales.

“It highlights once again the enormous benefits that investment in our rail infrastructure can bring, not only in terms of facilitating improved resilience and services but also providing local jobs and training.

“Only yesterday Arriva Trains Wales were able to announce more frequent trains on valleys services as a result of Network Rail improvements and I very much look forward to seeing other parts of Wales benefit from similar investment.”

The Welsh Government-funded North/South Wales enhancement project will provide greater resilience and reliability on the railway to provide a bigger and better railway for the growing number of passengers. 

Andy Thomas, route managing director for Network Rail Wales, said: “Our Railway Upgrade Plan is unlocking capacity and building a more, resilient and reliable railway for passengers in North Wales.

“Line redoubling between Wrexham and Chester will allow for faster and more frequent services between Holyhead and Cardiff, and we are upgrading signalling on the North Wales coastline.

"The delivery of these key infrastructure projects will make a real difference for rail users in North Wales connecting people business and communities.”

The North Wales railway upgrade project is a £50m scheme, which is also being delivered by Network Rail to modernise signalling on the North Wales coast from Shotton to Colwyn Bay. Road Rail Crane plant has been used in the delivery of this project.

Network Rail has been working together with Arriva Trains Wales to minimise disruption during this programme of upgrade work. Major track and signalling work is being carried out at weekends and replacement bus services are in operation on some parts of the network.

Passengers are advised to check before they travel at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/