'Progress is also being made on the multimillion pound Wrexham Gateway project'

MS for Wrexham

I was a pleasure to welcome the Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters to Wrexham. Residents will be able to see for themselves the work that is taking place in and around Wrexham General Station, thanks to a £9m Welsh Government investment announced earlier this year. It all forms part of the North Wales Metro, a long-term project which ultimately aims to vastly improve rail and bus services, as well as active travel routes across our region. Around £50m has been provided since 2020 and plans have now been revealed outlining the priorities up until 2029. As well as station improvements, passengers in Wrexham will benefit from improved connectivity between the town and Liverpool, with more frequent services and more efficient, environmentally friendly trains.

Progress is also being made on the multimillion pound Wrexham Gateway project that will transform the area of the town centred around the Mold Road. The Welsh Government has already provided £25m for this project and is working with local partners including Wrexham Council, Glyndwr University and Wrexham AFC. A lot of work has taken place to get to this stage and it is really pleasing to see these ground-breaking initiatives starting to make a difference in Wrexham. Both the North Wales Metro and Wrexham Gateway have the potential to transform our town and I will continue to do all I can to support the developments in the coming years.

Many readers will be aware 12 – 15 year olds are to be offered a Covid-19 vaccine and booster jabs will also start being administered in the coming weeks. After careful consideration, the UK Chief Medical Officers have concluded offering children aged 12 – 15 a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine will help reduce transmission and educational disruption, as well as offering a marginal health benefit. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board will start vaccinating this age group from Monday 4 October.

The Welsh Government has also accepted the JCVI’s advice, recommending all individuals who received vaccination in Phase 1 should be offered a third dose of either a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine – this is all those over 50, along with healthcare staff, care home workers and residents. Invitations will start being sent in the coming days and weeks. The vaccine remains the best way to prevent serious illness and the spread of coronavirus so I urge every eligible person to take-up both doses, as well as the booster dose when called for an appointment.