A MAJOR upgrade of rail and road links across Powys have been revealed today (Friday, February 3).

Midlands Connect is proposing to cut journey times and maintain direct services along the Cambrian line, which travels through Welshpool and Newtown, and has also called on the long-awaited Pant and Llanymynech bypass to be delivered.

The transport body says its 'Marches Road and Rail blueprint’, which looks at improvements across the Marches and Mid Wales regions, would "unlock the economic potential" of the area.

Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect said: “This document outlines a series of road and rail projects that we believe could unlock the full economic potential of the Marches and Mid and West Wales.

“Midlands Connect has been working closely with the Welsh Government to create a plan that we will take to government in Westminster.

“All these improvements would help bind the union together but help Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin get the rail and road improvements they need.”

OTHER NEWS:

As part of the plans for the Cambrian line which runs between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth, there would be reduced journey times and the maintainence of direct services to Birmingham by optimising connections at Shrewsbury.

The blueprint also wants to secure faster and higher frequency trains and integrate bus and rail services for rural communities along the Heart of Wales line, which serves Knighton.

With regards to roads, Midlands Connect is calling for the Pant and Llanymynech bypass, which crosses the border between Powys and Shrewsbury and is the direct link between North and South Wales to be delivered as soon as possible.

The plans, which have been created in conjunction with the Welsh Government, are due to go before the UK Government to ask for funding of the rail schemes as part of the Union Connectivity Review, after funding was set aside in November 2021 for key projects.

Chairwoman of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, Sonia Roberts welcomed the proposals and hopes they will help businesses.

She said: "An efficient, effective and reliable transport network is absolutely essential if the Marches is to fully realise its potential.

"It is vital that we work with partners on both sides of the border to ensure that our transport network meets the needs of business, wherever in the region it is based."

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