22.08.13
Wrexham upgrade delays criticised
The Welsh Government must strengthen the country’s infrastructure, the Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister has urged.
In a letter to the First Minister, the committee highlights the lack of progress on the Wrexham to Saltney Junction upgrade, which was paused to review processes and decision-making around the £36m scheme.
David Melding, chairman of the committee, said: “The Wrexham to Saltney Junction scheme promises significant benefits for the people of North Wales and its delay is disappointing.
“The committee would like to see ministers show leadership and clarity of purpose in bringing this scheme forward as soon as possible.”
North Wales AM for the Liberal Democrats, Aled Roberts, said: “The First Minister has acknowledged that the re-doubling of the Wrexham to Saltney Junction railway line will aid economic development across the region. Yet, time and time we have seen delays to this project.
“Only recently the Welsh Transport Minister cast further doubt about the future of this project by asking Network Rail to review its plans. For that reason, I believe the committee is entirely right to seek clarity about the how much of a priority this project is for the Welsh Labour Government. At the moment, I’m not convinced it his high up the agenda at all.
“Over the past few weeks I’ve been seeking clarity over the project’s future. It should be relatively easy for the Welsh Labour Government to confirm its future, but all we are told is that we have to wait until autumn. That isn’t good enough.”
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