Network Rail teams up with TfW and Avanti West Coast for North Wales Rail Unit

A dedicated local railway unit, Rheilffordd Gogledd Cymru (North Wales Railway), has been launched by Network Rail, Transport for Wales (TfW), and Avanti West Coast to improve rail services across North Wales.

The initiative was introduced at a two-day event in Llandudno, with representatives from the three organisations collaborating to discuss challenges and identify solutions for the North Wales Coast and Conwy Valley Lines.

The project mirrors similar successful units in Cambrian and Central & West Wales.

Heledd Walters, Network Rail’s programme manager for Rheilffordd Gogledd Cymru, highlighted the collaborative spirit of the launch:

“It’s really encouraging that we’re already seeing similar themes emerge from all three partners… It’s about empowering decision making, everything from customer experience to train performance.”

The local railway unit aims to create a unified framework enabling frontline staff and teams familiar with the area to make decisions that address local needs.

The collaborative approach is expected to deliver improvements in customer service, train performance, and workforce engagement.

Gwyn Rees, Network Rail’s performance and transformation director for Wales and Borders, drew on the success of the Cambrian Local Railway model:

“We’ve been delivering lots of small, incremental improvements that have really had a positive impact… On the Cambrian, we’ve been able to make some subtle improvements to the timetable that help our trains operate on time, and that is something the team in North Wales can also look to achieve.”

TfW’s planning and performance director Colin Lea expressed optimism about the project’s potential to address challenges and prioritise innovative solutions:

“There are long-term goals but also some short-term wins as well, such as improving performance along the North Wales Coast; looking at marginal gains we can make through the timetables; thinking about how we can provide better customer service, and accessibility.”

The collaboration also brings Avanti West Coast into the fold. Owain Morgan, Avanti’s route performance manager for North West & Wales, underscored the importance of unified efforts:

“We’ve effectively put our name badges aside and are one team, here to improve the railway for everyone.”

The new unit represents a significant step in ensuring a reliable and customer-focused rail service for North Wales, building on local expertise and fostering cross-organisational teamwork.