In response to the unveiling of a Gateway Masterplan for the Mold Rd and Crispin Lane, Cllr Marc Jones, local councillor for the area, said: "This is the major route into town both by road and rail. It's also an opportunity to regenerate the Racecourse and develop derelict land behind the Crispin Lane end of the ground as well as providing an integrated transport hub.
"That all costs money and we need to see the Welsh Government and others investing substantial amounts in the capital of the North. There's been enough talk of a millenium stadium for the North - well, we're 19 years into the millenium and we've still only got a three-sided Racecourse. Together with new club facilities, conferencing, food and accommodation as well as a national football museum that would attracts tens of thousands of new visitors to the area, it could be a transformational project if we are ambitious.
"Vision and ambition is also important with the transport hub - I'd struggle to see how that could be justified with the poor level of bus and train services as they are. Wrexham and its surrounding areas need regular, reliable and connected public transport to ease traffic congestion and encourage more sustainable green travel. A transport hub will help that but bus services also needs revenue funding over the medium and long-term.
"The cancelling of the M4 project means there is capital available for investment. Let's use a proportion of that to regenerate this gateway to Wrexham but we also need to improve the year-on-year funding pot for public transport. The funding for the Bus Subsidy Support Grant for the whole of Wales has remained static at £25 million for the past six years under this Government.
"The Welsh Government and others need to show the colour of their money now if this scheme is to move from an aspiration to reality.
"It's vital that the people behind the masterplan get it right and I will give my full support for it if they do."
No comments:
Post a Comment