Growth Track 360 calls for electrification of North Wales Main Line between Warrington, Crewe, Chester and Holyhead to unlock full potential of HS2
Reacting to the announcement from UK Secretary of State for Transport of a two-year delay to completion of construction work on HS2 between Birmingham and Crewe, business and local authority leaders from North Wales, the Wirral and Cheshire West and Chester in the Growth Track 360 partnership have renewed their call for investment in the existing network to allow their cross-border region to take full advantage of the new railway.
To this end, Growth Track 360 is campaigning for
- Complete modernisation of Chester station as the gateway for tourism and commerce to Cheshire and North Wales; and
- Electrification of the North Wales Main Line from Holyhead to Crewe and Warrington, allowing HS2 trains to run directly from London and Birmingham to Chester and beyond.
Growth Track 360 Chair and Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Councillor Louise Gittins, said:
Growth Track 360 Vice Chair and Leader of Flintshire Council, Councillor Ian Roberts, said:
Ashley Rogers, GT360 Business Representative, Chief Executive of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council, said:
Shadow Rail Minister, Tan Dhesi MP, on a prearranged visit to Chester meeting Growth Track 360 leaders, said: