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9th November 2015

The multi-million pound rail scheme to improve train times between Wrexham and Chester has hit major delays.

Welsh Government chiefs, who are funding the project, have blasted Network Rail saying it was “unacceptable”.

The scheme costing nearly £40m, which was scheduled to be completed this month, now has unspecified problems it has emerged, which could set the finish date back by months.

The Welsh Government commissioned the scheme to help speed up travel times between North Wales and Cardiff, with NR carrying out the work, which would also improve links between the region and Merseyside and the North Cheshire Line to Manchester.

But serious unspecified “setbacks” have arisen sparking North Wales AM, Aled Roberts, to demand what has gone wrong and when is it going to be sorted out?

The works are currently doubling the line between Rossett Junction and Saltney Junction with the aim to get more trains running between the two points with increased speeds.

The "Wrexham Leader" has reported that the serious unspecified setbacks above; were the need to replace 13km ( 8 miles) of signalling cable which was found to be life expired. The project is now expected to be delivered in the New Year.

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