THE MP for Ynys Môn, Virginia Crosbie, has helped secure more train services from Holyhead to London following discussions with the Department for Transport (DfT).

Mrs Crosbie was told in the House of Commons yesterday (March 17) that the number of daily direct services will increase from two to four in May with more in the pipeline.

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Speaking in Transport Questions, she asked: “I welcome Avanti West Coast’s £170,000 investment and the creation of a dedicated driver depot in Holyhead, but direct rail services between London and Holyhead, the UK’s second busiest ro-ro port and the main route connecting the UK and the EU, reduced from nine per day prior to the pandemic to just two.

“What steps is the minister taking to help providers return rail services across the UK to their pre-pandemic levels to support connectivity across the UK?”

In reply, transport minister Robert Courts said: “I commend my honourable friend on being a true champion for Ynys Môn.

“We continue to work closely with her and operators on the development of attractive timetables that are reliable, deliver excellent performance and are good value for money.

“Thanks to her campaign and that work, the two trains per day from London to Holyhead will increase to four in May, and we are looking to bring back more.”

Speaking afterwards, Mrs Crosbie added: “This is really good news and I am delighted the UK Government has listened to myself, to passengers and to business and made this commitment.

“Services will not yet be back to the levels we had before COVID but as we recover from it, the DfT has been clear that more will be added.

“This can only be good news for everyone who wants to see good, reliable and timely rail services off the island and to all corners of the UK. I thank the minister for acting so quickly.”