Kier Starmer confirms Deeside Industrial Estate railway station plan
A new railway station serving Deeside Industrial Park has been included in UK Government plans for seven new stations across Wales.
The announcement, made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister Eluned Morgan, forms part of almost half a billion pounds allocated in the latest Spending Review for rail projects in Wales.
The Deeside station is linked to wider upgrades on the Wrexham to Liverpool line, including infrastructure works near Padeswood Cement Works.
The line was declared congested infrastructure by Network Rail in 2023 due to constraints near the cement works which reduce capacity.
The UK and Welsh governments have worked with the North Wales Growth Deal, Ambition North Wales, which has agreed to co-fund improvements to the main line arrangements into the Padeswood freight facility.
The changes are intended to allow freight trains to move off the main line and into the cement works rather than the current movements required.
The funding will also allow safety, capacity and line speed improvements at Buckley.
The governments say the upgrades will enable two trains per hour on the Wrexham to Liverpool line.
The Wrexham-Bidston Rail Users’ Association said the announcement was positive for passengers in north east Wales.
[Padeswood]
In a statement, the group said: “The Wrexham-Bidston Rail Users’ Association (WBRUA) has been campaigning for many years for a station adjacent to the Deeside Industrial Park and welcomes this announcement.”
“Funding for improvement work near Padeswood Cement Works identifies progress is also being made towards a more frequent clock-face service and, in due couse, through trains to Liverpool, both of which have been proposed by the WBRUA for many years.”
“The Association is also continuing to keep pressure on TfW to consistently deliver a reliable service on the line. Whilst things have improved in recent years, there is still some way to go – passengers need a service that they can depend on every day they need to use it..”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “This government is turning the page on historic dither and delay with seven new stations, thousands of jobs, and a generational commitment to build a rail network fit for Wales’ future.”
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “In the near term, I’m pleased to see backing for the essential work at Padeswood and Buckley. This will transform journeys between Wrexham and Liverpool, unlock economic opportunities across north Wales, and allow plans for the new Deeside station to accelerate.”
The seven stations identified for development are Magor and Undy, Llanwern, Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Cardiff Parkway and Deeside Industrial Park. Work on five stations in south east Wales is expected to begin later this year, with Magor and Undy anticipated to be completed first.
In addition to the new stations, the UK Government said it will invest around £30m in safety and service improvements on the North Wales Coast Main Line.
This includes the design and installation of two accessible footbridges to replace four high-risk level crossings at Prestatyn and Abergele. Construction is expected to complete in spring 2027, with a 50% increase in Transport for Wales services from May 2026.
The UK Government said the rail programme is expected to support 12,000 jobs across Wales.
Alyn and Deeside MS Jack Sargeant said: “This shows Labour in action and two governments working together to deliver for Wales. This is more than just bricks and mortar – it will mean better connections for the people of Deeside to jobs, education, healthcare, and spending time with friends and family.
“This brings an end to historic underfunding of Welsh rail by the Tories and begins the next chapter for Wales. Reform and the Tories will always want to cut services, but Labour is delivering the people of Deeside.”
Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Sam Rowlands MS welcomed additional funding but said it was less than previous investment.
He said: “While we welcome investment in rail across Wales, rail funding has been cut by more than half under Labour compared to what was delivered by the previous UK Conservative Government.
“After more than £1bn has already been spent on the South Wales Metro, it is disappointing that there is still no commitment to follow through with UK Conservative Government plans to electrify the North Wales Main Line, a project that businesses and communities have long called for.”
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