Moving North Wales Forward

Transcription

1 Moving North Wales Forward Our Vision for North Wales and the North East Wales Metro March

2 Foreword by Ken Skates AM Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure North Wales Opportunities for Growth There is huge potential to deliver economic growth in North Wales and to add value to the Welsh and UK economy. A modern, high quality transport system is fundamental to achieving this, connecting businesses to markets, facilitating trade, exchange andtravel. I am committed to investing in transport in North Wales to ensure this region of Wales is a competitive and connected component of the Northern Powerhouse. Our investment in transport must deliver social, environmental and cultural benefits to make North Wales a great place to live and work. Abandoning more isolated communities to a life that is wholly dependent on the private motor vehicle is economically, ethically and environmentally unacceptable. I have committed an additional 50 million to move forward our plans for the North East Wales Metro. This is on top of the substantial commitments for North Wales set out in the National Transport Finance Plan 2015 which will also contribute to achieving our aims. We have an ambitious vision for transport in North Wales but we cannot achieve this on our own. We will engage and collaborate with public, private and third sector partners across Wales and the rest of the UK to deliver on our commitments. 2 Our Economy North Wales is well placed with access to markets not just in the region but also to markets across Wales, to the Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands, to London and the rest of the UK. North Wales contributes almost 13 billion GVA to the UK economy 1. The industrial heartland of north-east Wales with West Cheshire and the Wirral make up the Mersey Dee economic sub-region. Together, the North Wales and Mersey Dee area has an economy worth around 26.5 billion GVA 2. Jobs and Skills North Wales is the location of a range of nationally and internationally important industrial and commercial companies, with a particular focus on advanced manufacturing and research and development. We have a highly skilled workforce, supported by universities at Bangor and Wrexham and an extensive further education sector. Key development sites at Wylfa Newydd, Wrexham and Deeside will contribute to the expected doubling of the economy of the North Wales Mersey Dee area by 200. Leisure and Tourism North Wales has stunning landscapes and heritage, high quality sports and cultural facilities and has been recognised by the Lonely Planet Guide as one of the world s top regions to visit in Tourism annual spend for North Wales exceeds 1.2 billion, of which 659 million is from domestic overnight visitors, 98 million from international visitors, and 81 million from tourism day visits 3. Outdoor leisure in particular is a growing market with recent developments at Surf Snowdonia and at Zip World with the longest zip wire in Europe. 1 Market/Regional-Accounts/Gross-Value-Added-GDP/gva-by-measurewelsheconomicregion-year 2 regionalgrossvalueaddedincomeapproach and statistics/2016/ regional-economic-labour-market-profiles-november north-wales-en.pdf 3 International Passenger Survey ( GB Tourism Survey ( GBTSWalesLightViewer/ViewTable.aspx), and GB Day Visits Survey ( wales/docs/statistics/2016/ great-britain-day-visitor-2015-en.pdf)

3 IRELAND OLYEAD LLANDUDNO JUNCTION LIVERPOOL & LIVERPOOL AIRPORT WARRINGTON MANCESTER & MANCESTER AIRPORT BANGOR CESTER WREXAM S LONDON, CREWE & S2 L E W A M I D L A N D S T S O U North Wales and Mersey-Dee Connecting Markets Crown copyright 2017 Cartographics Welsh Government ML/95/16.17 February 2017 & M I D Rail Motorway/Trunk Road Ferry Port Port Airport 3

4 Our Commitment We are committed to delivering a transport system in North Wales that is internationally focused and facilitates a region that is ambitious, engaged and connected to the wider world. It will work for: People Enable people to live healthy and independent lives, with equality of opportunity and access to jobs and services, enabling people into employment and sustaining jobs. Businesses Provide the conditions to maximise economic development and employment access to markets in Wales, the rest of the UK and beyond, stimulating innovation and growth for a modern economy. Communities - Connect communities to facilities, jobs and services through sustainable and resilient infrastructure that supports socially cohesive and resilient communities. Environment Encompass sustainable development principles with a transport network that is integrated and sustainable.

5 Our Vision for an Integrated Transport Network We will create a sustainable, reliable, efficient and quality integrated transport network across the region. It will connect people, communities and businesses to jobs, facilities, and services and maximise the economic opportunities of connectivity across Wales and our borders. We will provide the policy framework and the necessary tools using the Well-being of Future Generations Act and WelTAG the Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance to guide the development and delivery of the most effective solutions. Our transport systems will deliver: Benefits Priority Areas Impacts Sustainable Encourages use of sustainable fuel and materials Reduced emissions and improved air quality Responsive to technological advances Social, Economic, Environmental & Cultural Well-being Connected Equitable & Adaptable National and International connectivity including to ports and airports Accessible transport facilities and services Access to key centres and services Meets rural and urban needs Active travel routes in communities to local facilities and bus and rail networks Provides travel opportunities for all Direct services to S2 at Crewe igh quality and affordable Direct and frequent bus and train services to employment sites Responsive to democratic and social changes Resilient Safe Efficient, stable transport networks and services Responsive to climate change Reduced journey times Reliable journey times Integrated New and improved Multi-modal Transport Interchanges Integrated, frequent bus, rail and community transport services Easily accessible, reliable travel information for all modes Park and Ride / Park and Share Multi-modal ticketing 5

6 North East Wales Metro and Cross-Border Connections There are strong links between the economy of North East Wales and that of North West England. The 2011 census recorded significant cross-border commuter flows amounting to one million journeys per month. Significant daily flows to work are from North Wales to Chester and Cheshire (17,500), to Merseyside (3,500) and to Greater Manchester (2,200). Similarly about 20,000 workers cross the border each day into Wales. There are also around 3,000 commuter trips from North East Wales to Shropshire daily highlighting the importance of cross-border links to the English Midlands. Cross-border routes through North East Wales are important for road freight transport, particularly for freight between mainland Europe, England and Ireland. There are also important local and regional strategic transport links to and from North East Wales to North West Wales, Llangollen, Corwen and to Mid, South and West Wales. A selection of the complex cross-border commuter movements within the Mersey Dee area are illustrated here. Commuting Patterns in the United Kingdom, 2011 Census 6

7 A83 Many of the key employment sites on both sides of the border are not well served by public transport with resulting congestion and delays on the road network as people choose to drive to work and reduced employment opportunities for those who rely on public transport. The potential for future job growth is substantial in the cross border area with an estimated 5,000-55,000 increase in jobs over the next 20 years. Improvements to public transport systems and the road network will be needed to cater for the resulting increased demand on our transport networks. The Task Force included representatives from the public, business and third sectors across the Wales England border. The Task Force work has influenced projects we are currently taking forward and we will build on this work as we develop in collaboration with partners our plans for the North East Wales Metro. INTEGRATED TRANSIT NETWORK VISION FOR NORT EAST WALES TRAVEL TO WORK AREA TO LIVERPOOL LIVERPOOL We will work with authorities across the border, most notably Cheshire West and Chester Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, Transport for the North and Midlands Connect. Working together, we will deliver a joined up public transport system that meets the needs of people in both Wales and England and provides fast, frequent and reliable services to existing and planned employment opportunities. The North East Wales Integrated Transport Task Force, established by the Welsh Government in 2013, developed a possible network for a Metro in the North East Wales travel to work area. This is shown here. SITE BUS LINK CORE MATRIX BUS LINKS PARK & RIDE/PARK & SARE UB/INTERCANGE KEY EMPLOYMENT ZONE N.B. Other coloured lines represent key frequent rail corridors RYL TOWN NORTWEST WALES LLANDUDNO IRELAND OLYEAD BODELWYDDAN & BUSINESS PARK ST ASAP DENBIG RUTIN RYL PRESTATYN CORWEN MOLD FLINT NORTOP BUCKLEY LLANGOLLEN AWARDEN BRIDGE SOTTON BIDSTON/ LIVERPOOL OOTON QUEENSFERRY/ SALTNEY BIRKENEAD M53 DEESIDE ENTERPRISE ZONE, AIRBUS & INDUSTRIAL PARK ELLESMERE PORT CESTER ZOO CESTER CESTER BUSINESS PARK NORT WREXAM WREXAM N M56 SREWSBURY/ WEST MIDLANDS AIRPORT ELSBY WREXAM INDUSTRIAL ESTATE SOUT PARKWAY FRODSAM RUNCORN NORTWIC ALTRINCAM MANCESTER & AIRPORT MANCESTER CREWE For LONDON 7

8 We are already delivering transport improvements across North Wales Whilst our plans are being developed we are already investing in key projects. These will contribute to the achievement of our longer term aims for improvements to rail and road capacity and resilience, active travel facilities and schemes to facilitate the development of and support for bus, rail and air services. Maps 1 and 2 reflect some of the main projects we are currently developing. Further major schemes will need to be to be developed and taken forward to deliver our transport vision and modernise transport services and infrastructure. ighway schemes currently being developed are for: 1. A third crossing over the Menai Straits to provide additional capacity, improve resilience and reduce congestion. Works could start by end Abergwyngregyn to Tai r Meibion improvement will upgrade this section to current standards and improve drainage, resilience and safety. Works are planned to start in Junctions 15 and 16 replacement of the roundabouts with grade separated junctions to improve safety and journey time reliability. Works could start in /A9/8 Deeside Corridor Improvement package of measures including highway scheme to improve connectivity, safety and resilience and reduce congestion on a key strategic link into North Wales. A public consultation on two options is being held March-June 2017 with a preferred route expected to be announced before end of A9 River Dee Bridge Improvement provision of a new bridge which will allow an upgrade of the existing bridge which is in poor structural condition. 6. A87 Caernarfon to Bontnewydd Bypass will improve connectivity and road safety, reduce congestion and reduce traffic in built up areas. Works could start late A87 Pont ar Dyfi, Machynlleth construction of a new bridge upstream of the existing historic bridge to improve connectivity and resilience. The existing bridge is unsuitable for current traffic volumes and is prone to closure due to flooding. Works could start in A83 Junctions and 5 improvements development of options to improve capacity at key junctions with the A83 trunk road to west of Wrexham to facilitate potential employment and housing development. 9. A83/ alton Junction improvement development of a scheme to improve capacity and reduce queuing. 10. to olyhead Port improvement development of a scheme to improve access onto the for vehicles leaving olyhead Port, to reduce congestion and delay, especially for freight vehicles and to improve conditions for local road users. 11. Route Study study of existing and projected traffic issues on across North Wales taking account of key strategic economic growth and development opportunities and identification of options to accommodate increased traffic where appropriate. 12. A83 Route Study study of existing and projected traffic issues between A83 Gledrid Roundabout, Chirk and Rossett Interchange, taking account of key strategic economic growth and development opportunities and identification of options to accommodate increased traffic where appropriate.

9 olyhead Motorway Trunk Road Rail network Ferry Port Port Airport 10 WYLFA NEWYDD Cemaes Penygroes Amlwch ISLE OF ANGLESEY 11 Caernarfon Bontnewydd A87 Benllech A70 Betws-y-coed A70 Llanrwst Prestatyn Rhuddlan Penmaenmawr Neston Beaumaris Llangefni Abergele olywell Menai Bridge Llanfairfechan St Asaph Flint 6 1 Y Felinheli Llanberis Bangor 2 Bethesda 3 3 Llandudno Conwy Blaenau Ffestiniog CONWY Colwyn Bay Rhyl 11 Denbigh Ruthin Mostyn DENBIGSIRE A9 FLINTSIRE Mold Bidston eswall Connah s Quay Crosby Birkenhead Ruabon Bootle M A83 WREXAM M57 Kirby Ellesmere Port 12 LIVERPOOL Wrexham Chester M62 St elens Widnes Runcorn M6 Warrington M56 Northwich Winsford Nantwich Crewe Pwllheli Llanbedrog Abersoch Criccieth Porthmadog Penrhyndeudraeth arlech Maentwrog A70 GWYNEDD SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK A9 Bala Llangollen Chirk Oswestry 9 Whitchurch Wem Market Drayton Moving North Wales Forward Map 1: ighway Schemes Under Development Crown copyright 2016 Cartographics Welsh Government ML/95/16.17 January 2017 Barmouth Tywyn Aberdovey A87 Dolgellau A87 7 A89 Machynlleth A70 A70 8 POWYS Newtown Welshpool A83 12 Montgomery A A third crossing over the Menai Junctions 12 and 13 Abergwyngregyn to 2 Tai r Meibion Improvement 3 Junctions 15 and 16 improvement schemes /A9/8 Deeside Corridor Improvement 5 A9 River Dee Bridge Improvement A9 6 A87 Caernarfon to Bontnewydd 7 A87 Pont ar Dyfi, Machynlleth 8 A83 Junctions and 5 Improvements 9 A83/ alton junction improvement 10 to olyhead Port Improvement 11 Route Study 12 A83 Route Study Shrewsbury Church Stretton Telford 9

10 Rail and integrated transport schemes currently being developed are for: 1. Capacity Improvements, Chester Station development of options to accommodate increased number of rail services through the station. 2. Integrated Transport ubs and Improved Rail Access, Deeside development of options to improve access by rail, bus and active travel to key employment sites in Deeside. 3. Integrated Transport ubs, Wrexham development of options to improve rail / bus / active travel interchange at Wrexham General Station and other key locations within the Wrexham catchment area.. Electrification of the North Wales Coast Main Line continue to work with partners to make the case for investment by the UK Government in this scheme to improve access to S2 and the wider UK market. 5. Rail Capacity Improvements between Wrexham and Chester development of options for further capacity improvements to facilitate additional rail services. 6. Signalling and Linespeed Improvements on the North Wales Coast Main Line to be delivered by Network Rail and will facilitate faster and more reliable rail journeys. 7. Linespeed Improvements on the Wrexham- Bidston Line development of options to facilitate faster and more reliable rail journeys. 8. olyhead Port Rail Freight Facilities work with partners to identify opportunities to develop rail freight facilities at olyhead Port and promote transfer of freight from road to rail. 9. New Wales and Borders Franchise continue preparation of specification for new franchise to operate from Direct Rail Services to Liverpool via alton Curve development of services between North Wales and Liverpool via Liverpool Airport using a re-opened alton Curve. 10

11 olyhead Motorway Trunk Road Rail network 7 Ferry Port Port Airport 8 WYLFA NEWYDD Cemaes Pwllheli Llanbedrog Abersoch Penygroes Amlwch ISLE OF ANGLESEY 6 Caernarfon A87 Criccieth Benllech Llanberis Porthmadog arlech Bethesda Blaenau Ffestiniog A70 Penrhyndeudraeth A70 A70 Betws-y-coed Llanrwst A9 Bala Prestatyn Denbigh A9 Bidston eswall Rhuddlan Penmaenmawr Neston Beaumaris Llangefni Abergele olywell Menai Bridge Llanfairfechan St Asaph Flint Y Felinheli Bangor GWYNEDD Llandudno Conwy SNOWDONIA NATIONAL PARK CONWY Colwyn Bay Rhyl Ruthin 6 DENBIGSIRE FLINTSIRE Llangollen Connah s Quay Mold Ruabon Chirk Oswestry Crosby Bootle Birkenhead A83 WREXAM M M57 Kirby LIVERPOOL Ellesmere Port 5 1 Wrexham 10 Chester M62 Whitchurch Wem St elens Widnes Runcorn M6 Warrington M56 Northwich Winsford Nantwich Market Drayton Crewe Moving North Wales Forward Map 2 - Rail and Integrated Transport Schemes under Development Crown copyright 2016 Cartographics Welsh Government ML/95/16.17 January 2017 Barmouth Tywyn Aberdovey A87 Dolgellau A87 A89 Machynlleth A70 A70 8 POWYS Newtown Welshpool A83 Montgomery A83 1Capacity Improvements Chester Station 2 Integrated Transport ubs and Improved Rail Access 3 Integrated Transport ubs 8 Electrification of the Rail Line from olyhead to Chester and Crewe / Warrington Shrewsbury 6 Signalling and Linespeed Improvements on the North Wales Coast Main Line A9 between Chester and Llandudno / olyhead Church Stretton 10 Direct Rail Services to Liverpool via alton Chord Telford 5 Rail Capacity Improvements between Wrexham and Chester 7 Linespeed Improvements on the Wrexham-Bidston Line 8 olyhead Port - Rail Freight Facilities New Wales and Borders Franchise 9 (applies to all the rail lines in North Wales) 11

12 Image Credits Page 3 North Wales Connecting Markets: Crown copyright (2016) Page Top Left: WG Transport, Bottom Left: Crown copyright (2016) Visit Wales, Right: AECOM Page 6 North East Wales/Mersey Dee Area: Crown copyright (2016) Page 7 North East Wales Integrated Transport Task Force: Report to Minister for Economy, Science and Transport June 2013 Page 9 ighway Schemes under Development: Crown copyright (2016) Page 10 Top and Middle: Crown copyright (2016) Visit Wales, Bottom: Sustrans Cymru Page 11 Rail and Integrated Transport Schemes under Development: Crown copyright (2016) Page 12 All: Crown copyright (2016) Visit Wales Queries? Contact Customerelp@Wales.gsi.gov.uk 12 Mae r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg. This document is also available in Welsh. Crown copyright 2017 WG30596 Digital ISBN Print ISBN