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Moving North Forward Our Vision for and the North Metro March 2017

1 Foreword by AM Cabinet Secretary for Economy North Wales – and Infrastructure Opportunities for Growth

There is huge potential to deliver economic Our Economy Leisure and growth in North Wales and to add value to the North Wales is well placed with access to North Wales has stunning landscapes Welsh and UK economy. A modern, high quality markets not just in the but also to and heritage, high quality sports and transport system is fundamental to achieving markets across Wales, to the Northern cultural facilities and has been recognised this, connecting businesses to markets, Powerhouse and the Midlands, to by the Lonely Planet Guide as one of the facilitating trade, exchange andtravel. I am and the rest of the UK. North Wales world’s top to visit in 2017. Tourism committed to investing in transport in North contributes almost £13 billion GVA to the annual spend for North Wales exceeds Wales to ensure this region of Wales is a UK economy1. The industrial heartland £1.2 billion, of which £659 million is from competitive and connected component of of north-east Wales with West domestic overnight visitors, £98 million the Northern Powerhouse. and the Wirral make up the Mersey Dee from international visitors, and £481 million 3 Our investment in transport must deliver economic sub-region. Together, the from tourism day visits . Outdoor leisure in social, environmental and cultural benefits North Wales and Mersey Dee area has an particular is a growing market with recent 2 to make North Wales a great place to economy worth around £26.5 billion GVA . developments at Surf and at Zip live and work. Abandoning more isolated World with the longest zip wire in Europe. communities to a life that is wholly dependent Jobs and Skills on the private motor vehicle is economically, North Wales is the location of a range of 1 https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Business-Economy-and-Labour- Market/Regional-Accounts/Gross-Value-Added-GDP/gva-by-measure- ethically and environmentally unacceptable. nationally and internationally important welsheconomicregion-year I have committed an additional £50 million industrial and commercial companies, 2 https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossvalueaddedgva/datasets/ regionalgrossvalueaddedincomeapproach and http://gov.wales/docs/ to move forward our plans for the North East with a particular focus on advanced statistics/2016/161103-regional-economic-labour-market-profiles-november- 2016-north-wales-en.pdf Wales Metro. This is on top of the substantial manufacturing and research and 3 International Passenger Survey (https://www.visitbritain.org/nation- commitments for North Wales set out in the development. We have a highly skilled region-county-data), GB Tourism Survey (http://dservuk.tns-global.com/ GBTSWalesLightViewer/ViewTable.aspx), and GB Day Visits Survey (http://gov. National Transport Finance Plan 2015 which workforce, supported by universities at wales/docs/statistics/2016/160809-great-britain-day-visitor-2015-en.pdf) will also contribute to achieving our aims. Bangor and and an extensive sector. Key development We have an ambitious vision for transport in sites at Wylfa Newydd, Wrexham and North Wales but we cannot achieve this on will contribute to the expected our own. We will engage and collaborate with doubling of the economy of the North public, private and third sector partners across Wales – Mersey Dee area by 2040. Wales and the rest of the UK to deliver on our commitments.

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IRELAND & JUNCTION & LIVERPOOL MANCHESTER AIRPORT AIRPORT

BANGOR

WREXHAM LONDON, & HS2 M S I E D L L A A N W D S H

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North Wales &

and Mersey-Dee D Connecting Markets I

M Rail © Crown copyright 2017 Cartographics • ML/95/16.17 Motorway/Trunk Road February 2017 Ferry Port Port Airport

3 Our Commitment

We are committed to delivering a transport system in North Wales that is internationally focused and facilitates a region that is ambitious, engaged and connected to the wider world. It will work for: People – Enable people to live healthy and independent lives, with equality of opportunity and access to jobs and services, enabling people into employment and sustaining jobs. Businesses – Provide the conditions to maximise economic development and employment access to markets in Wales, the rest of the UK and beyond, stimulating innovation and growth for a modern economy. Communities - Connect communities to facilities, jobs and services through sustainable and resilient infrastructure that supports socially cohesive and resilient communities. Environment – Encompass sustainable development principles with a transport network that is integrated and sustainable.

4 Our Vision for an Integrated Transport Network

We will create a sustainable, reliable, efficient and quality integrated transport network across the region. It will connect people, communities and businesses to jobs, facilities, and services and maximise the economic opportunities of connectivity across Wales and our borders. We will provide the policy framework and the necessary tools using the Well-being of Future Generations Act and WelTAG – the Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance – to guide the development and delivery of the most effective solutions. Our transport systems will deliver:

Benefits Priority Areas Impacts

Encourages use of Reduced emissions Responsive to Sustainable sustainable fuel and improved technological and materials air quality advances

Active travel routes in Direct Direct and National and International Access to communities to local services frequent bus and connectivity including to key centres Connected facilities and bus and to HS2 at train services to ports and airports and services Social, rail networks Crewe employment sites Economic, Environmental Responsive to & Cultural Equitable & Accessible transport Meets rural and Provides travel High quality democratic and facilities and services urban needs opportunities for all and affordable Well-being Adaptable social changes

Responsive Reduced Reliable Efficient, stable transport Safe to climate journey journey Resilient networks and services change times times

New and improved Integrated, frequent Easily accessible, Park and Multi-modal Multi-modal Transport bus, rail and reliable travel Ride / Park Integrated ticketing Interchanges transport services information for and Share all modes

5 Metro and Cross-Border Connections

There are strong links between the economy of North East Wales and that of North West . The 2011 census recorded significant cross-border commuter flows amounting to one million journeys per month. Significant daily flows to work are from North Wales to Chester and Cheshire (17,500), to (3,500) and to Greater Manchester (2,200). Similarly about 20,000 workers cross the border each day into Wales. There are also around 3,000 commuter trips from North East Wales to daily highlighting the importance of cross-border links to the English Midlands4. Cross-border routes through North East Wales are important for road freight transport, particularly for freight between mainland Europe, England and . There are also important local and regional strategic transport links to and from North East Wales to North , , and to Mid, South and West Wales. A selection of the complex cross-border commuter movements within the Mersey Dee area are illustrated here.

4 www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk Commuting Patterns in the , 2011 Census

6 Many of the key employment sites on both The Task Force included representatives from sides of the border are not well served by the public, business and third sectors across public transport with resulting congestion and the Wales – England border. The Task Force delays on the road network as people choose work has influenced projects we are currently to drive to work and reduced employment taking forward and we will build on this work opportunities for those who rely on public as we develop in collaboration with partners transport. The potential for future job growth our plans for the North East Wales Metro. is substantial in the cross‑border area with an estimated 45,000-55,000 increase in jobs over the next 20 years. Improvements to public INTEGRATED TRANSIT NETWORK VISION FOR NORTH EAST WALES transport systems and the road network will TRAVEL TO WORK AREA be needed to cater for the resulting increased

TO LIVERPOOL demand on our transport networks. LIVERPOOL

BIDSTON/ SITE BUS LINK LIVERPOOL SOUTH H We will work with authorities across the CORE MATRIX BUS LINKS PARKWAY PARK & RIDE/PARK & SHARE H MANCHESTER & border, most notably Cheshire West and H HUB/INTERCHANGE AIRPORT HOOTON KEY EMPLOYMENT ZONE AIRPORT Chester Council, the Liverpool M53 N.B. Other coloured lines represent key frequent rail corridors FRODSHAM ELLESMERE PORT Combined Authority, the Cheshire and N M56 CHESTER Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, BRIDGE DEESIDE ZOO ENTERPRISE ZONE, AIRBUS TOWN H & INDUSTRIAL Transport for the North and Midlands PARK NORTHWEST RHYL FLINT WALES CHESTER Connect. Working together, we will deliver LLANDUDNO IRELAND H HOLYHEAD SHOTTON H QUEENSFERRY/ H H a joined up public transport system that ALTRINCHAM & BUSINESS MANCHESTER PARK H CHESTER meets the needs of people in both Wales NORTHOP A55 ST H BUSINESS PARK and England and provides fast, frequent ASAPH

NORTH H and reliable services to existing and WREXHAM planned employment opportunities. H H H MOLD BUCKLEY

The North East Wales Integrated Transport A483 RUTHIN H Task Force, established by the Welsh CREWE WREXHAM WREXHAM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE Government in 2013, developed a possible H For LONDON H H network for a Metro in the North East Wales CORWEN LLANGOLLEN / travel to work area. This is shown here. WEST MIDLANDS

7 We are already delivering transport improvements across North Wales

Whilst our plans are being developed we are 4. A55/A494/A548 Deeside Corridor 9. A483/A5 Halton Junction improvement already investing in key projects. These will Improvement package of measures development of a scheme to improve contribute to the achievement of our longer including highway scheme to improve capacity and reduce queuing. term aims for improvements to rail and road connectivity, safety and resilience and capacity and resilience, active travel facilities reduce congestion on a key strategic link 10. A55 to Holyhead Port improvement development of a scheme to improve access and schemes to facilitate the development of into North Wales. A public consultation onto the A55 for vehicles leaving Holyhead and support for bus, rail and air services. on two options is being held March-June Port, to reduce congestion and delay, 2017 with a preferred route expected to Maps 1 and 2 reflect some of the main projects especially for freight vehicles and to improve be announced before end of 2017. we are currently developing. Further major conditions for local road users. schemes will need to be to be developed 5. A494 River Dee Bridge Improvement study of existing and and taken forward to deliver our transport provision of a new bridge which will allow 11. A55 Route Study projected traffic issues on A55 across vision and modernise transport services and an upgrade of the existing bridge which is North Wales taking account of key strategic infrastructure. in poor structural condition. economic growth and development Highway schemes currently being 6. A487 to Bontnewydd Bypass opportunities and identification of options developed are for: will improve connectivity and road safety, to accommodate increased traffic where 1. A third crossing over the Menai Straits reduce congestion and reduce traffic in built appropriate. up areas. Works could start late 2017. to provide additional capacity, improve 12. A483 Route Study study of existing and resilience and reduce congestion. Works 7. A487 Pont ar Dyfi, construction projected traffic issues between A483 could start by end 2020. of a new bridge upstream of the existing Gledrid Roundabout, Chirk and Rossett 2. A55 to Tai’r Meibion historic bridge to improve connectivity and Interchange, taking account of key strategic improvement will upgrade this section to resilience. The existing bridge is unsuitable economic growth and development current standards and improve drainage, for current traffic volumes and is prone opportunities and identification of options resilience and safety. Works are planned to to closure due to flooding. Works could to accommodate increased traffic where start in 2017. start in 2017. appropriate. 3. A55 Junctions 15 and 16 replacement of 8. A483 Junctions 4 and 5 improvements the roundabouts with grade separated development of options to improve capacity junctions to improve safety and journey time at key junctions with the A483 trunk road reliability. Works could start in 2019. to west of Wrexham to facilitate potential employment and housing development. 8 Crosby Kirby WYLFA NEWYDD Bootle M57 St Helens M6 Cemaes Amlwch Bidston LIVERPOOL M62 Birkenhead Warrington Widnes Prestatyn Llandudno Holyhead 10 Benllech Rhyl Runcorn M56 M53 ISLE OF Bay Rhuddlan Neston 3 11 Llangefni Conwy A55 Holywell A55 3 11 Northwich Menai Bridge Bangor Llanfairfechan A550 2 Flint 1 4 A5117 A470 Connah’s Quay Motorway 5 4 Trunk Road Bethesda Denbigh 4 Chester Winsford Rail network CONWY Mold Caernarfon A55 Ferry Port 6 Llanrwst Port A5 Bontnewydd Ruthin Airport 12 Betws-y-coed Crewe Penygroes A494 Nantwich A470 A5 8 Wrexham A487 Blaenau A483 Ruabon WREXHAM

Llangollen A5 Whitchurch 9 Chirk Bala A470 Market Drayton A494 A5 SNOWDONIA Wem NATIONAL PARK

A5 A483 1 A third crossing over the Menai Moving North ShrewsburyA55 Junctions 12 and 13 Abergwyngregyn to A458 2 A5 A487 Tai’r Meibion Improvement A458 Wales Forward A470 3 A55 Junctions 15 and 16 improvement schemes 4 A55/A494/A548 Deeside Corridor ImprovementTelford 5 A494 River Dee Bridge Improvement A49 Map 1: Highway Schemes A489 6 A487 Caernarfon to Bontnewydd 12 7 A487 Pont ar Dyfi, Machynlleth 7 Under Development 8 A483 Junctions 4 and 5 Improvements Machynlleth A470 A483 9 A483/A5 Halton junction improvement © Crown copyright 2016 10 A55 to Holyhead Port Improvement Cartographics • Welsh Government • ML/95/16.17 Montgomery 11 A55 Route Study January 2017 Aberdovey Church 12StrettonA483 Route Study A487 Newtown

9 Rail and integrated transport schemes currently being developed are for: 1. Capacity Improvements, Chester Station 6. Signalling and Linespeed Improvements development of options to accommodate on the North Wales Coast Main Line to be increased number of rail services through delivered by and will facilitate the station. faster and more reliable rail journeys. 2. Integrated Transport Hubs and Improved 7. Linespeed Improvements on the Wrexham- Rail Access, Deeside development of options Bidston Line development of options to to improve access by rail, bus and active facilitate faster and more reliable rail journeys. travel to key employment sites in Deeside. 8. Holyhead Port Rail Freight Facilities work with 3. Integrated Transport Hubs, Wrexham partners to identify opportunities to develop development of options to improve rail / rail freight facilities at Holyhead Port and bus / active travel interchange at Wrexham promote transfer of freight from road to rail. General Station and other key locations 9. New Wales and Borders Franchise continue within the Wrexham catchment area. preparation of specification for new franchise 4. Electrification of the North Wales Coast to operate from 2018. Main Line continue to work with partners 10. Direct Rail Services to Liverpool via Halton to make the case for investment by the UK Curve development of services between North Government in this scheme to improve Wales and Liverpool via Liverpool Airport access to HS2 and the wider UK market. using a re-opened . 5. Rail Capacity Improvements between Wrexham and Chester development of options for further capacity improvements to facilitate additional rail services.

10 Crosby Kirby WYLFA NEWYDD Bootle M57 St Helens M6 Cemaes Amlwch Bidston LIVERPOOL M62 Birkenhead Warrington Widnes Prestatyn 8 Llandudno 4 7 Holyhead Benllech Rhyl Runcorn M56 6 Heswall ISLE OF ANGLESEY M53 10 Rhuddlan Neston Beaumaris Penmaenmawr Llangefni Conwy Abergele A55 Holywell A55 Llanfairfechan Ellesmere Port Northwich Menai Bridge Bangor St Asaph A550 A55 Flint 4 FLINTSHIRE 2 A5117 4 A470 Connah’s Quay Motorway 6 1 Trunk Road Y Felinheli Bethesda Denbigh Chester Winsford 7 Rail network CONWY Mold Caernarfon A55 Ferry Port Llanrwst 7 Port Llanberis A5 Ruthin 4 Airport 5 Betws-y-coed DENBIGHSHIRE Crewe Penygroes A494 Nantwich A470 A5 3 Wrexham A487

Blaenau Ffestiniog A483 Ruabon WREXHAM GWYNEDD Llangollen A5 Whitchurch Penrhyndeudraeth Criccieth Chirk Porthmadog Bala Pwllheli A470 Market Drayton A494 Llanbedrog Harlech A5 SNOWDONIA Oswestry Wem Abersoch NATIONAL PARK

1A5Capacity Improvements Chester Station Barmouth 2 Integrated Transport Hubs and Improved Rail Access Dolgellau A483 Moving North 3 Integrated Transport Hubs ElectrificationShrewsbury of the Rail Line from POWYS A458 4 A5 A487 Holyhead to Chester and Crewe / Warrington Wales Forward A458 A470 Welshpool 5 Rail Capacity Improvements between WrexhamTelford and Chester 6 Signalling and Linespeed Improvements on the North Wales Map 2 - Rail and Integrated Coast Main LineA49 between Chester and Llandudno / Holyhead Transport Schemes under A489 Tywyn 7 Linespeed Improvements on the Wrexham-Bidston Line Development Machynlleth A470 8 Holyhead Port - Rail Freight Facilities A483 New Wales and Borders Franchise © Crown copyright 2016 Montgomery 9 Cartographics • Welsh Government • ML/95/16.17 (applies to all the rail lines in North Wales) Aberdovey January 2017 Church Stretton A487 Newtown 10 Direct Rail Services to Liverpool via Halton Chord

11 Image Credits

Page 3 North Wales Connecting Markets: © Crown copyright (2016) Page 4 Top Left: WG Transport, Bottom Left: © Crown copyright (2016) Visit Wales, Right: AECOM Page 6 North East Wales/Mersey Dee Area: © Crown copyright (2016) Page 7 North East Wales Integrated Transport Task Force: Report to Minister for Economy, Science and Transport June 2013 Page 9 Highway Schemes under Development: © Crown copyright (2016) Page 10 Top and Middle: © Crown copyright (2016) Visit Wales, Bottom: Sustrans Cymru Page 11 Rail and Integrated Transport Schemes under Development: © Crown copyright (2016) Page 12 All: © Crown copyright (2016) Visit Wales

Queries? Contact [email protected] Mae’r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg. © Crown copyright 2017 WG30596 This document is also available in Welsh. Digital ISBN 978 1 4734 8859 5 Print ISBN 978 1 4734 8858 8 12