New Holyhead Train Depot Could Boost Jobs

by Leah
(North Wales)

The sale of some land by local smelter, Anglesey Aluminium, for building a new train depot could lead to up to 60 jobs being created in Holyhead.

This would be a big boost for the island after Network Rail was convinced to site a new train depot at Holyhead rather than at a location outside Manchester.

While there is already an engine depot in the London Road area of the town, part of this land has been earmarked for the new multi-million pound road scheme which will link Holyhead port with the A55 trunk road.

London Road councillor Ray Jones welcomed the news. He said: "The new depot will be the only one between Holyhead and Chester. This means we'll have trains coming from Bangor to be serviced."

"It's a great jobs boost for Anglesey, and will happen over the next two years."

Anglesey Aluminium are relaxed about the proposal, and Site Managing Director David Bloor said: "It won’t affect our work here. So if they can have the depot here and create jobs for Holyhead rather than elsewhere, then it makes sense."

While the current engine depot in Holyhead only provides re-fuelling and cleaning services, the new rail maintenance depot would be able to offer a much wider range of services.

New train timetables are being introduced by Virgin Trains from January, 2009, which will see additional services from Holyhead and Bangor to London, and direct services from Holyhead to Birmingham International.

Arriva Trains Wales will also start a premier north south service between Holyhead and Cardiff, cutting about half an hour off the current 5 hour journey time.

It is expected that the new rail depot should give Virgin Trains and Arriva Trains Wales greater flexibility in the scope of maintenance and cleaning processes that can be done at Holyhead.

Details of the exact nature of the work to be done at the new rail depot depends on the outcome of talks between Network Rail and the train operators.

Network Rail said they are discussing the proposed deal with Anglesey County Council.