Metro is ‘go’ with Network North Wales

North Wales is a thriving cross-border region with huge economic potential that can be unlocked with better transport.

We’ve launched Network North Wales, a multi-billion-pound investment vision for an integrated, high-frequency transport network for the region. It will be a network that’s better connected, more accessible and brimming with opportunity.

Network North Wales is an ambitious, long-term plan, with Metro at its heart. It includes electrification of the North Wales Main Line, more frequent services and better connectivity between North Wales and London, Merseyside, Cheshire and the North of England.

It will connect people and communities in North Wales and the surrounding regions with jobs, opportunities, leisure and a better quality of life. It will help businesses to thrive, transforming the region’s economic prospects.

Network North Wales is part of the T Network, a multimodal network of trains, buses, walking, wheeling and cycling that we’re building across Wales.

 

Network North Wales

Croeso to the T Network

 

What changes will North Wales see?

  • More frequent trains.
  • New rail connections between North Wales and Liverpool.
  • New bus routes.
  • Electrification of trains and buses - reducing carbon emissions.
  • Brand new and more accessible railway stations.
  • Easier-to-use ticketing systems.
  • Introduction of pay as you go - making train travel smoother.

 

What’s in the vision?

In the next six months, we’ll
  • Continue introducing brand-new trains as part of our £800 million investment, with over 87% of passenger journeys being made on brand-new trains in North Wales.
  • Rename the Borderlands Line to the Wrexham-Liverpool Line and rebrand its trains, better reflecting its connection with the communities it serves and our ambition to better connect with Liverpool.
In the next year, we’ll
  • Double the frequency of trains between Wrexham and Chester.
  • Upgrade our railway stations on the Wrexham-Liverpool Line.
  • Increase our services on the North Wales Main Line by 50%.
  • Introduce new bus services to improve access to jobs in Wrexham and Deeside.
  • Launch direct trains between Llandudno and Liverpool.
  • Begin rolling out pay as you go on rail services in North Wales.
  • Start the T13 bus service between Rhyl and Wrexham via Ruthin and Denbigh.
  • Add Metro and Network North Wales branding to trains, buses and stations to make the network easier to navigate.
In the next three years, we’ll
  • Carry out upgrades at Padeswood to unlock more freight and passenger capacity.
  • Start running two trains per hour between Wrexham and Liverpool.
  • Improve station safety and access at Buckley.
In the next five years, we’ll
  • Deliver more new trains and build new stations.
  • Improve rail connections to Manchester Airport.
  • Have a consistent rail timetable for the North Wales Main Line.
  • Upgrade signals at Gobowen to increase capacity on the Marches Line.
By 2035, we’ll
  • Electrify the North Wales Main Line.
  • Increase platform capacity at Chester railway station.
  • Run four trains per hour from Wrexham to Liverpool.
  • Increase services on the North Wales Main Line.
  • Significantly improve accessibility at stations, including level boarding.
Beyond 2035, we’ll
  • Introduce Metro-style services to stations south of Wrexham to Gobowen.
  • Improve journey times between North and South Wales.
  • Build new stations north and south of Wrexham, including A55 Parkway.
  • Electrify and re-signal the Marches Line.
  • Improve Northern line connections from Wrexham to Leeds.