Compare that to the Duffryn West to Cockett West redouble, which came in at a similar 40 odd million pounds I believe, which included a brand new bridge across the Loughor river and, I seem to recall, was done in well under a year. I wonder if the same part of Network Rail was responsible for both projects.
It's confusing, because although there is a "Wales Route", the Wrexham-Saltney section of line is part of LNW Route.
However, I think the debate has moved on now, and proper devolution of rail infrastructure funding to Cardiff will make NR pay attention in the next CP round (and give WG more control over how money is spent).
The Halton Curve debate has also moved on and is now part of the wider capacity planning process in the area.
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If I read the paned-leaves correctly, the Transport portfolio in the Welsh Government has now moved from Edwina Hart to Ken Skates.
Edwina is out of the Cabinet. She seems to have been be well-regarded but I don't think her performance on rail was at all stellar.
Ken Skates is described at Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Infrastructure.
The media chat is all about the M4 relief road, but presumably rail infrastructure is part of his portfolio.
You'd also presume that the Wales & Borders franchise is also in his brief.
Ken is AM for Clwyd South (Llangollen, South Wrexham and around).
It seems he grew up only a few miles from where I live.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Skates
At first sight he seems just the right person to promote the Saltney-Wrexham redouble completion, and the Halton Curve opportunities.
Not to mention North Wales electrification.
PS More evidence of business growth in the Chester area, which should flow through to rail services.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-36344555