A PLANNED direct train service between Llandudno and Liverpool has been praised as a ‘major benefit’ for people in the region.

Transport for Wales first outlined plans for the direct service in September 2021, which will see an hourly service between Llandudno and Liverpool and an extension to direct services to Manchester Airport.

These services will be delivered by December 2023, but there is currently no plan for a Llandudno to Cardiff direct service.

Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Welsh Government, told the Senedd: “There are currently no plans to deliver a direct service between Llandudno and Cardiff.

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“Transport for Wales make every effort to ensure good connections at Llandudno Junction to direct services to Cardiff and other destinations.

“They are also working on the plans for the new Liverpool to Llandudno service.”

Janet Finch-Saunders, MS for Aberconwy, said a direct service was ‘common sense’ and praised the idea.

She said: “Llandudno is one of the United Kingdom’s leading tourist destinations, seeing around 6.8 million visitors annually.

“People travel here from all over the world, but we do owe a particular thanks to residents of North West England. I know that many love coming to our town to relax.

“To help ensure that more can travel via public transport to Llandudno, it is common sense to increase the number of direct rail destinations, such as by adding Liverpool.

“This will also be of major benefit to constituents who currently have to change in Chester if they want to go shopping in the so-called capital of North Wales!

“Whilst I am hopeful that we can secure a direct connection to the regional capital, it is a shame that the Welsh Government have no plans to link the Welsh capital to Llandudno.”