MP welcomes pledge to electrify North Wales Mainline

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes (pictured) has welcomed announcement that the UK government will electrify the North Wales Mainline.

The move is part of the Prime Minister’s new “Network North” project, which will fund hundreds of transport infrastructure schemes.

Mr Sunak said a total of £1 billion has been pledged for the electrification programme, which will be financed from the £36 billion of savings as a result of the cancellation of HS2 beyond Birmingham.

The electrification of the mainline will result in parts of North Wales being within an hour of Manchester. It will also lead to more punctual and reliable journeys on the 126-mile route, which stretches across North Wales and into the North West of England, says the UK Government.

Speaking after the Prime Minister’s announcement, Mr Baynes said: “I was delighted by the Prime Minister’s speech and the news that the UK government will invest £1bn to electrify the Crewe-Holyhead North Wales Mainline. This will be funded from the £36bn of savings due to the cancellation of the extension of HS2 beyond Birmingham.

"Speeds will be increased and it will bring parts of North Wales within an hour of Manchester. It will lead to more punctual, reliable journeys on the 126-mile route between Crewe, Warrington, Chester, Llandudno and Holyhead, where ferry services run to Dublin.”