MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Jean Quinn
Date of Issue: February 10th 2010
Contact numbers:
07792 002972
Lib Dem office: 0151 691 8544

BIDSTON TO WREXHAM ' BORDERLANDS' RAILWAY ELECTRIFICATION

In a Notice of Motion due to be considered at a meeting of Full Council in Wirral on 15th February, the Liberal Democrats will call for more progress to be made on electrification of the Bidston – Wrexham railway line as a vital project to provide improved access to employment opportunities for Wirral residents.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Jean Quinn, Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Transport Services said, “Wirral has been waiting since the 1970s for the mid-Wirral railway line to be electrified. Despite studies being conducted into the feasibility of this, little real progress has been made.

"In order to grow our way out of the current economic crisis we need investment in public infrastructure projects. Top of the priority list for such investment should be projects which prepare communities for recovery.  The Bidston – Wrexham Borderlands electrification fits this bill perfectly.

“In the short term, it would provide immediate opportunities for employment of construction workers. In the longer term, this investment would create improved links to job opportunities for Wirral residents.

“Network Rail has estimated costs for the electrification and upgrade of the whole Bidston to Wrexham line is over £200m. This higher than anticipated cost for electrification of the line has made it very unlikely that that amount of funding will be found in the foreseeable future.

“What the Liberal Democrats are calling for is that the project to be broken down into more affordable stages. For example, the project could start with the provision of new stations at Prenton and Beechwood in the short term, followed by electrification between Bidston and Woodchurch in the medium term and then further electrification along the route as required.

“Whilst other parts of the region such as Liverpool and Manchester have already received, or are promised upgrades to their rail systems, I am saying the people of Wirral have waited long enough for this much needed investment in its public transport infrastructure. Now is the time to find a way forward and start getting this done.”