A new campaign to secure £1bn of improvements to the North Wales and Cheshire rail network, which could create 70,000 jobs over 20 years, has launched.
The campaign, called Growth Track 360, is being led by a cross-border alliance of business, political and public sector leaders.
If successful, it could boost the North Wales, Cheshire and Wirral economies by linking them with the planned HS2 line between London and the North of England.
It is calling for electrification of the line from Crewe to North Wales and the doubling in frequency of trains between the North Wales Coast Line and Wrexham to Manchester through Chester.
Investment in new rolling stock is also sought alongside new services between Liverpool and Liverpool Airport to North Wales and Wrexham via Chester and doubling journey frequency between Wrexham and Liverpool via Deeside and Bidston.
Linked to the proposals would be improvements to stations and the implementation of a smart ticketing system.
The campaign is being driven by the North Wales and Mersey Dee Rail Task Force (NW&MD) and has the backing of the region's eight local authorities, the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, the Mersey Dee Alliance, the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, the North Wales Business Council and the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce.
Initial research has suggested that 70,000 jobs could be created while GVA , the value of goods and services produced each year in the region, could grow to £50.5bn in 20 years.
Cllr Samantha Dixon, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: "This investment is essential if we are to create opportunities for generations to come. This investment would increase productivity and economic growth, increasing tax revenues and reducing unemployment across the region."
Cllr Derek Butler, chairman of the Mersey Dee Alliance and cabinet member for economic development at Flintshire Council, added: "It is vital that our region gets this investment if we are to attract inward investment and talent. We have economic and business assets of national and international significance but cannot make the most of these without a rail system which meets our needs for the future."
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