Sam Rowlands MS criticises Welsh Labour’s North Wales rail announcement

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, says government proposals for rail development in North Wales are empty promises.

Mr Rowlands, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, was commenting after the Welsh Labour Government unveiled plans for a new public transport network across North Wales.

He said:

“I really can’t believe that anyone will be taken in by this. Public transport is not good enough here in North Wales and rail passengers are being let down time and time again.

“The £13m outlined is less than 1% of the full funding needed and with no funding commitment from the UK Labour Government this announcement is nothing more than a PR exercise from a panicked Welsh Labour administration. 

“We were promised a North Wales Metro 10 years ago and Labour ditched UK Conservative plans to electrify the North Wales line, so I question the timing of this considering Labour’s position in the polls with just one year to go until the election.”

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales has unveiled a multibillion-pound project to introduce Network North Wales which will see metro-like services.

These services will run on the North Wales mainline, the Marches line, Chester to Wrexham and will see a new direct link between Wrexham and Liverpool.

The Welsh Conservatives have criticised the recent announcement on North Wales rail development, describing it as a "fantasy wish list" from a panicking Labour Government desperate to retain power after 26 years of failing the people of Wales.

Pictured - Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales.