NORTH Wales rail facilities could be modernised as a result of a study by Network Rail. 

The Welsh route study draft sets out options for funders to meet future growth in passenger and freight journeys by redeveloping Cardiff Central station, modernising the railway across North Wales and potentially electrifying the North Wales Main Line, which runs from Crewe to Holyhead.

The study covers the railway in Wales as well as the bordering counties and has been developed with Welsh Government, the department for transport and train and freight operating companies.

Tim James, head of strategy and planning for Network Rail Wales, said: “Our railway is carrying almost 50 per cent more passengers than we were 10 years ago and that number is predicted to grow significantly in the years ahead.

“Work we are already doing over the next five years will make a huge difference, including electrifying parts of the railway and installing new signalling to help deliver improved reliability and the potential for more and faster journeys. There is still more to do to meet future demand.”

With growth for rail travel into Cardiff expected to be amongst the highest outside of London over the next 30 years, the number of journeys from Cardiff Central, the busiest station in Wales, is forecast to grow from 13 million to 33 million by 2043.

Other potential options identified by the study, which will inform funding decisions for the period 2019 to 2024, include improved line speeds on North Wales Coast Main Line, further network capacity enhancements between Wrexham and Chester and improved line speeds between Wrexham and Bidston for connections to Liverpool.

The draft study is a consultation document and members of the public are encouraged to have their say during the consultation period which ends on 9 June 2015.

The final document is expected to be published in summer 2015 and will set out options detailing how Network Rail can improve the railway in the next 30 years.

The draft Welsh route study is now open for consultation and is available at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/long-term-planning-process/route-studies/