Source · Select Committees · Welsh Affairs Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted in Part
The development of the HS2 programme in England could yield direct benefits to Welsh rail...
Recommendation
The development of the HS2 programme in England could yield direct benefits to Welsh rail passengers if it is accompanied by enhancements to the North Wales mainline, including the upgrades at Chester and Crewe stations which will be required for full electrification of the North Wales mainline to proceed. We recommend that the UK Government, working in partnership with the Welsh Government, should prepare a full strategic case for the upgrade and electrification of the North Wales mainline. Consolidating the benefits of HS2 for Wales by reducing journey times within North Railway Infrastructure in Wales 37 Wales, increasing freight capacity and improving connections from Holyhead to the West Coast main line would be consistent with the UK Government’s economic and environmental objectives and with the objectives of the Union Connectivity Review. (Paragraph 107) The implications of Covid-19
Government response summary AI-generated
The government notes the recommendation and is developing an Outline Business Case with Network Rail for journey time improvements on the North Wales Coast Main Line, aiming to increase line speeds and improve journey times, with work expected to conclude in February 2022. This addresses part of the recommendation for an upgrade, but not explicitly the 'full strategic case for electrification'.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted in Part
The UK Government notes this recommendation. DfT are working with Network Rail on developing an Outline Business Case for a scheme of journey time improvement on the North Wales Coast Main Line. This intervention proposes to increase line speeds and improve journey times by bringing all elements of infrastructure up to the capability of the recently re-designed signalling. The work is expected to conclude in February 2022. Officials are actively engaged with Welsh Government, TfW, and other relevant passenger and freight operators on the development of this scheme.
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