Service improvements to the Wrexham and Bidston line will be felt by both Transport for Wales and GB Railfreight, the Office of Rail and Road has announced.

An independent review was needed because both operators had applied for capacity that could not be accommodated together.

Currently, an hourly Wrexham to Bidston service is operated by Transport for Wales, whilst GBRf use sections of track to serve Deeside and Avonmouth from Padeswood Cement Works.

Network Rail’s initial analysis showed that only one of the applications could be accommodated, so rejected both.

Both operators then asked the ORR to take a decision on the applications.

The review looked into the line’s capacity, operational issues and cost-benefit analysis.

The decision now means that Transport for Wales will be able to operate a 2-trains-per-hour service for most of the day – representing an improvement for passengers.

Freight trains can also serve Padeswood Cement Works can continue with better certainty thanks to a firm contractual base. Each freight train will remove around 36 HGVs from the roads.

Stephanie Tobyn, Director of Strategy, Policy and Reform at ORR said: “We are pleased to have reached a decision that promotes passenger and freight growth in line with our duties through an increase in passenger services and placing the freight trains serving the cement works on a firm contractual basis.

“Our review of the applications identified areas where Network Rail needs to improve its management of granting access to the rail network. We will continue to monitor the Wales and Borders route on these issues.”