Passengers across North Wales are now benefiting from a major increase in train services with services along the North Wales Coast line increasing by around 50 per cent.
The expanded timetable aims to deliver enhanced connectivity, greater capacity and more flexible travel options for communities across the region, helping improve access to jobs, education and leisure destinations across North Wales and beyond.
The improvements form part of the wider Network North Wales programme, being delivered by Network Rail in partnership with Transport for Wales and supported by the Welsh Government’s £800 million investment in a new fleet of trains.
Alongside the timetable changes, residents in Prestatyn and Pensarn are being invited to attend local drop-in sessions to find out more about the work taking place to safely accommodate the increase in services.
The sessions will provide an opportunity for local residents to speak directly with project teams, view the latest plans and ask questions about upcoming works in their communities.
The drop-in sessions:
Tuesday 19 May, 15.00 – 18.00
Ty Caradoc Community Centre, Prestatyn
Wednesday 20 May, 15.00 – 18.30
The Peacock Lounge, Ty Gwyn Holiday Park, Pensarn
While the increased timetable will bring significant benefits for passengers and local communities, it also increases safety risks at some level crossings along the route.
Crossings at Ty Gwyn and Pen Uchaf in Pensarn, and Sandy Lane and Beverley Drive in Prestatyn, are among the highest-risk crossings on the Wales and Borders network. The increase in train services, with trains travelling at speeds of up to 90mph, would significantly raise the risk to people using the crossings.
Earlier this year, Network Rail began preparatory works at both locations ahead of the construction of new accessible footbridges, and introduced temporary safety measures at all four crossings in preparation for the expanded timetable.
Gwyn Rees, Programme Director at Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “These timetable improvements will deliver a major boost for communities and visitors across North Wales, providing more frequent services, better connectivity and greater flexibility for passengers travelling along the coast.
“To safely support this increase in services, we’re also investing in new accessible footbridges at Prestatyn and Pensarn, helping create a safer and more accessible railway for local people.
“We welcome local communities to join us at our upcoming drop-in sessions to find out more about the plans, speak directly with the project team and understand how these improvements will benefit the region for years to come.”
Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales, added: “These essential upgrades will enable us to safely increase the number of train services on the North Wales Coast by around 50 per cent. This additional capacity will improve reliability and connectivity across the region, supporting more sustainable travel and better linking communities.
“However, more frequent services also increase the level of risk at level crossings. We fully support these proposals, which will close high risk crossings while delivering improved accessibility and safety through new footbridges.”
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