THE Conservative candidate for North Shropshire has welcomed a report which shows how transport links between North Shropshire and North Wales could be improved, including the Pant-Llanymynech bypass.

Neil Shastri-Hurst backed the publication of the Union Connectivity Review, saying it shows how a better-connected UK-wide transport network would benefit living people in North Shropshire.

The review – commissioned by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in October 2020 – contains a series of recommendations to improve local and national transport links for people living in North Shropshire, and across Wales and the West of England.

A key recommendation in the report is improving connectivity between North Wales and North West England on the A55, M53 and M56 roads.

Rail connections on the North Wales Coast Main Line could also be improved, by utilising HS2 and electrification to better serve North Wales, and for connectivity with Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Another key recommendation is to deliver the Pant-Llanymynech bypass for better cross-border connectivity.

Mr Shastri-Hurst said: "Levelling up can only be achieved if we bring every corner of the UK closer together – connecting communities and places that for too long have been left behind and off the transport map.

"The Union Connectivity Review shows how a better-connected UK-wide transport network would benefit people in North Shropshire – driving economic growth, supporting job creation, and improving people's everyday lives.

"I particularly welcome the recommendations to deliver the Pant-Llanymynch bypass, and to upgrade road links through the Welsh Marches, including the A5 – and if I become MP for North Shropshire I will be banging the government's door to call for the A5 to be dualled.

"We need to build back better in a way that levels up and improves opportunities for people across North Shropshire– and this review is a landmark step towards delivering that goal."

UK wide recommendations in the report include a new UK-wide transport network – UKNET – with funding to improve parts of the network that require it the most.

The UK Government have said they will reflect on the conclusions in the review and aim to publish a full response next year.