VALE of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has called for new hourly rail service changes between Llandudno and Liverpool to be brought forward.

Speaking in Parliament last week, the MP outlined the success that similar changes have seen in the line between Wrexham and Liverpool.

Dr Davies said: “For many, Liverpool is the capital of North Wales, yet direct rail services from the North Wales coast ceased in the 1970s.

“Direct daily services between Wrexham and Liverpool were introduced in 2019 and are proving popular, but we are not expected to see the promised direct services between Llandudno and Liverpool until the back end of next year.”

Despite the plan for a December 2023 change, Dr Davies believes this should be done sooner, and called on Transport for Wales to amend their plans for benefit of the region.

He added: “Good rail connectivity between North Wales and other parts of the country will be vital in building back the region from the pandemic, helping to attract visitors to the area and consequently boosting the local economy.

“I therefore hope Transport for Wales will seriously consider introducing the service earlier.”

In response, the Minister of State at the Department for Transport, Andrew Stephenson MP, ensured Dr Davies that his colleagues at Transport for Wales would be contacted, while noting the Government’s substantial investment in the region in the last decade.

He said: “Since 2010, over £29billion has been invested in transport infrastructure in the north, but the Government want to go further, faster.

“Levelling up all parts of the UK is at the centre of the Government’s agenda as we build back better from the pandemic.”