Welsh Assembly Government funding being used to create two tier service say Lib Dems

9.00.00pm GMT Fri 19th Sep 2008

Wrexham misses out

Plans to introduce a new "express" rail link between Holyhead and Cardiff have been branded inadequate and a disgrace by Lib Dems across the North Wales region.

It is believed the new service will operate via Crewe leaving many rail users in the north east of the region still in the dark ages and facing more months of misery travelling from the north of the country to Cardiff.

It is also understood that the new locomotives and rolling stock for the new service has been heavily subsidised by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG), which is accused of taking decisions that are creating a two tier Wales.

Eleanor Burnham, Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, said: "As a long time campaigner for better public transport links between north and south Wales I'm absolutely fuming about this proposed new service via England that ignores large parts of the north east of my region!

"While I'm delighted that some users in North Wales and along the north coast route will benefit to ignore the needs of Wrexham and other parts of this area who will have to continue to limp to Shrewsbury to connect to this service is diabolical.

"I shall be asking questions of the Welsh Assembly Government about this proposed new service, how exactly will it benefit people in large parts of my region and just how much taxpayers money is being spent on improving the transport links of a few and not us all."

Cllr Aled Roberts, Lib Dem leader on Wrexham council, added: "The proposed routing of this 'express' service ignores the needs of many local residents and businesses in the Wrexham area and does nothing but to create a two tier service for many local communities in this area.

"Once again it appears that Labour/Plaid led WAG is prepared to play politics with people's vital transport links, supporting those routes with our money that they feel will benefit them rather than the paying public.

"First we had 'Ieuan Air' now we have 'Ieuan Rail', when will the Deputy First Minister wake up and realise that if we want One Wales we have to consider the needs of everyone in Wales and not be bullied into supporting the commercial needs of privatised public transport operators.

Wrexham Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman Dr Tom Rippeth also expressed concern that the new proposed fast north-south Wales train service will miss Wrexham out all together.

Commenting on the news Dr Rippeth said "Whilst I welcome the proposed improvement of our local railway service, the fact that it will by-pass Wrexham once again shows the lack of commitment of the Labour-Plaid Government to improving transport links in North East Wales.

"Last year, when the Assembly Government pumped £2.4 million of tax payers money into subsidizing the Anglesey-Cardiff air link we were told that this link was essential to draw together the nation.

"I am sure the Assembly Government will now argue the same is true of the new high speed rail link, yet Wrexham - the main town in North Wales - is being by-passed!

"If the Labour-Plaid Assembly Government are serious about improving the transport infrastructure in Wales, they should be putting their money into improving the Wrexham-Chester rail link, and not subsidising planes and first class trains to carry politicians between Anglesey and Cardiff!"

Cllr Robin Baker, Lib Dem leader in Flintshire added: "This proposed new service fails to improve the quality or journey time for Flintshire residents who will see no significant benefit to their trips to Cardiff."