A NEW direct evening rail service between Manchester Airport and Abergele and Pensarn has been introduced on a trial basis.
Residents were unhappy that the new Transport for Wales (TfW) timetable had downgraded services to and from Pensarn and were concerned about connectivity to Manchester Airport.
Darren Millar, MS for Clwyd, met with Transport for Wales earlier this month to request changes and has since received confirmation that an additional service from Manchester Airport will call at Abergele and Pensarn each evening.
The new direct service will provide improved connectivity for passengers travelling to and from the airport.
The service, which started on June 13, operates:
- 6.25pm Manchester Airport to Holyhead (Monday to Friday) - stopping at Abergele & Pensarn at 8.34pm
- 6.25pm Manchester Airport to Llandudno (Saturday)
The service will initially run as a trial, with Transport for Wales monitoring passenger demand before deciding whether to make the additional stop a permanent feature of future timetables.
Mr Millar said: "I am delighted that Transport for Wales has listened to the concerns raised by local residents and agreed to introduce this additional service for Abergele & Pensarn.
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"Many constituents contacted me after recent timetable changes because they were concerned about connectivity with Manchester Airport. I raised those concerns directly with Transport for Wales and pressed for improvements.
"This new service is good news for our community and will make it easier for residents, businesses and visitors to travel to and from Manchester Airport.
"The service is being introduced on a trial basis, so it is important that people make use of it wherever possible. If passenger numbers are strong, there is a real opportunity for this service to become permanent."
Transport for Wales, which has been contacted for comment, confirmed it will monitor usage and feedback as part of its assessment of the trial.
Transport for Wales introduced one of the most significant timetable changes for North Wales in a generation in May.
The changes, delivered through the wider Network North Wales investment programme, have increased the number of rail services on the North Wales Coast Line by about 50 per cent. There is also a new service from Llandudno to Liverpool and from Holyhead to Manchester Airport.
Both of these routes are expected to be severely disrupted during a four-week shutdown of the North Wales Coast railway line in January 2027.
This will be the first time in modern history that the entire stretch of the line between Holyhead and Chester has been fully taken out of service for such a significant continuous period for planned work.
The four-week blockade will allow engineers to carry out track upgrades and drainage improvements along the route, as well as install new accessible footbridges at Prestatyn and Pensarn stations.
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