Rail passengers on the critical Wrexham to Bidston line are experiencing a service described as "unacceptable," with a steady rise in cancellations since April and persistent delays affecting one in five trains. The Wrexham Bidston Rail Users’ Association (WBRUA) has released data highlighting the declining performance and has formally requested urgent action from Transport for Wales (TfW).
The issues, largely attributed to the new Class 230 trains, are causing significant disruption on the route, a key link connecting North Wales with Wirral and Merseyrail services into Liverpool. While TfW acknowledges the problems and has a team in place, passengers fear the upcoming autumn season will only worsen the situation.
Key Takeaways
- The Wrexham Bidston Rail Users’ Association reports a consistent increase in train cancellations on the line since April.
- Approximately 20% of trains that do run are delayed, according to performance data.
- Transport for Wales has identified issues with its Class 230 train fleet as the primary cause of the disruption.
- Despite recent performance improvements, TfW admits service levels are below customer expectations and is working on a resolution.
- The line is a vital part of the North Wales Metro plan, with long-term goals to increase services and run direct trains to Liverpool.
Mounting Frustration Over Declining Performance
Commuters and leisure travellers relying on the Wrexham–Bidston line face growing uncertainty as service reliability continues to decline. Data compiled and published by the Wrexham Bidston Rail Users’ Association shows a clear upward trend in weekly cancellations over the past several months.
The group has voiced strong concerns about the persistent issues. In a recent statement, the WBRUA highlighted the scale of the problem. "Our analysis of service cancellations since April shows them at an unacceptable level and the trend is getting worse," the association stated.
Delays Add to Passenger Woes
Beyond outright cancellations, punctuality remains a significant issue. According to the WBRUA, performance metrics show that a substantial portion of the services are not running on time.
"Of the trains that run, one in five or more are regularly running late," the group explained, referencing TfW's own punctuality measurements.
With the autumn leaf-fall season approaching, a period known for causing difficult rail conditions, passengers are concerned that the already fragile service could deteriorate further.
Calls for Urgent Intervention
The WBRUA has escalated its concerns directly to the leadership at Transport for Wales. The association confirmed its chairman sent a formal letter to James Price, the CEO of TfW, on September 24th.
The letter calls on the transport body to "visibly prioritise and resolve the ongoing performance issues" and to communicate its action plan to the public. The user group is campaigning for a reliable service that meets the needs of the communities it serves.
Comparative Performance: The WBRUA's analysis suggests the Wrexham–Bidston line's performance is significantly worse than other comparable routes operated by TfW in South East Wales and falls short of the reliability seen on the neighbouring Merseyrail network.
"We will continue to lobby for a better service that the line and its users expect and deserve," the association affirmed, drawing parallels to its previous successful campaigns for improved services.
Transport for Wales Responds to Criticisms
Transport for Wales has acknowledged the service shortfalls on the Wrexham to Bidston route. A spokesperson for the operator confirmed that performance has not met the standards customers rightly expect.
"We’re aware of the recent performance issues affecting services on the Wrexham to Bidston line," the spokesperson said. "The challenges we’ve experienced can largely be attributed to issues with our fleet of Class 230 trains, which operate on this route."
£800 Million Investment: TfW highlighted its broader investment of £800 million in new trains across the Wales and Borders network, which it says is generally improving customer experience and network resilience.
The operator stated that a dedicated project team is actively working to resolve the technical problems with the Class 230 fleet to improve both punctuality and reliability. While acknowledging the ongoing issues, TfW pointed to a recent positive trend.
"In the last month, this route saw an on time to 3 rating of 82.1%, which is the best the route has seen in 12 months," the spokesperson noted. "However, we know that there is still much to improve and we remain focused on improving rail performance."
Autumn Preparedness Plan
To address seasonal challenges, TfW and Network Rail have developed a comprehensive plan to enhance network resilience. Key measures include:
- Vegetation Clearance: Cutting back trees and plants alongside the tracks to prevent leaves from falling on the line.
- Specialist Rail Cleaning: Deploying equipment to remove leaf residue, which can reduce wheel traction and cause delays.
- Weather Monitoring: Teams are closely monitoring conditions to deploy contingency plans for flooding or high winds.
The Strategic Importance of the Borderlands Line
The Wrexham–Bidston line, often called the Borderlands line, serves as more than just a local commuter route. It is a vital cross-border artery connecting Wrexham Central in North Wales with Bidston on the Wirral, where it provides a crucial interchange with Merseyrail services for onward travel to Liverpool.
The line also plays a key role in the regional economy, supporting freight traffic for major employers like Deeside Industrial Park and Padeswood Cement Works.
Recognising its strategic value, the Welsh Government rebranded the route as the "Wrexham–Liverpool line" earlier this year as part of the ambitious North Wales Metro programme. This initiative aims to create a more integrated and efficient public transport network for the region.
Future Ambitions for the Route
Long-term plans for the line are significant, with goals to transform its capacity and connectivity. These plans include:
- Increasing the service frequency to two trains per hour within the next three years.
- Achieving direct services into Liverpool city centre by 2035.
The introduction of new Class 230 trains in April 2023 was a key step towards this vision, but their reliability has so far proven to be a major obstacle. In addition to the Class 230s, Class 197 trains also operate on the line. There have also been discussions about potentially using Merseyrail’s new battery-powered Class 777 trains on the route in the future to improve service and integration.