The North Wales Metro is to benefit from a £20 million boost, continuing investment in an integrated, modern and efficient transport system for the region, Transport and North Wales Minister Ken Skates said today.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The funding boost is part of the Welsh Government’s draft budget announced earlier this week.
The £20 million will allow for continued investment in all modes of transport including active travel such as cycle routes, bus services and investment in stations and train services.
Work to date on the metro includes active travel paths constructed in Deeside Industrial Park connecting people to businesses. These recently constructed paths have proved very popular with around 10,000 cycle trips per month through the park.
New buses for the Deeside Shuttle services have also been funded and a new park and ride site is being constructed at Deeside Industrial Park.
Today’s funding announcement will build on this work delivering:
- More active travel routes
- Transforming public transport and providing more park and ride services
- Improved and new stations increasing access to the rail network for residents and businesses.
- Highway improvements to tackle congestion and improve air quality and improve opportunities for walking, cycling and bus routes as well as addressing safety on the roads
Ken Skates said:
“The North Wales Metro is a key part of this government’s programme to provide a more integrated and efficient transport system for the region. By investing in all modes of transport we are working to reach our climate change and sustainability aims, and delivering economic growth by connecting people to businesses.
“Where work has already began on the Metro, for example the new active travel routes on the Deeside Industrial Park, we have seen the results with people using them not only to go to work but for leisure time with their families too.
“By improving bus services and providing park and ride facilities people will have a viable alternative to travelling by car to their place of work. Currently only a small percentage of people travel to Deeside by train and we want to change this. Increasing frequency on the Wrexham to Bidston line, an integrated Shotton station and the Deeside Parkway station all serve to address this.
“The £20 million I’m announcing today is good news for North Wales, allowing us to continue with the drive to have an integrated and efficient transport system for the region.