North Wales could lose its direct rail links with Manchester Airport under rail route proposals.
Business leaders in the region are being urged to rally against plans put forward by the Manchester Recovery Task Force (MRTF).
Economy minister Ken Skates said the proposed reorganisation could be “detrimental” to the region’s cross-border connectivity.
Without a direct rail link from , international tourists may also be deterred from visiting the region, said Jim Jones, chief executive of .
“It’s very disappointing,” he said.
“We’ve done a lot of marketing to encourage visitors to use Manchester and Liverpool airports rather than having to fly into Heathrow.”
MRTF has opened a public consultation, running until March 10, offering three options for timetabled passenger and freight services.
Its aim is to improve the performance of the rail network in the Manchester area.
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The three proposed changes:
- Option A: North Wales to Manchester services diverted to serve Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge stations, removing direct services between North Wales and Manchester Airport, and the removal of stops at Manchester Piccadilly and Oxford Road stations.
- Option B: No change – retain the current North Wales to Manchester Airport/Manchester Piccadilly services.
- Option C: Divert North Wales to Manchester services via the “Mid-Cheshire Line”. This would remove direct services between North Wales and Manchester Airport, with the service calling only at four stations east of Chester – Northwich, Knutsford, Altrincham and Manchester Piccadilly.
Following discussions with MRTF, (TfW) understands Options A and C will increase journey times for passengers travelling between North Wales and Manchester Airport.
In a letter to community leaders, Mr Skates said Option B was the “only acceptable outcome” of the consultation.
He said the other proposals fail to address fundamental infrastructure issues.
“I am concerned the approach being taken is focussed only on addressing the symptoms caused by the fact the rail infrastructure in the Manchester area does not support the level and quality of services that passengers in Wales and beyond require,” he said.
In recent years North Wales Tourism has heavily promoted the direct rail services that exist to and from Manchester Airport.
“In a more recent promotion of the top 100 foods in Europe, JATA named five from North Wales,” said Mr Jones.
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“Our promotional work has been based on the idea that international visitors need only hop on a train from Manchester Airport and head straight into North Wales.
“It was part of efforts to increase international travel via the north west of England rather than London.
“So anything that increases journey times will not only hurt tourism here in North Wales, it will also be detrimental to Manchester Airport.”
The MRTF proposals set out to cut the number of services on the most congested part of the network.
By simplifying rail services, and spreading them out more evenly, the idea is to reduce delays.
Any potential changes to timetables are due to be implemented from May 2022.
Mr Skates urged everyone affected in North Wales to make their views known to .
“North Wales must retain its direct link to Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly,” he said.
“If Union connectivity and levelling up is to be more than just words, this must be the only option to take.”
How important is it that North Wales retains direct rail links with Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly? Have your say in the .