Extra Arriva trains will stop for passengers in Flint

From next week an extra 14 trains will stop at Flint station, north Wales, increasing the figure from 38 locomotives to 52 a day.

Rail campaigners have said it is a further boost to the region and its public transport.

In September through trains to London, operated by Virgin began stopping in Flint.

David Blainey, Flintshire Council's transportation officer said the authority has been trying to persude the train operators to stop in Flint since 1996.

"Given the size of Flint we felt people should have the choice of trains," said Mr Blainey.

"The service has been hourly before but now it'll be two trains an hour."

The increased number of Arriva trains will operate to Crewe and Manchester, giving Flint residents better links to the West Coast main line and to Cardiff.

I very much welcome Arriva's decision to stop more of their trains at Flint Flintshire councillor Aaron Shotton

Flintshire county councillor Aaron Shotton said the extra trains are needed.

"I very much welcome Arriva's decision to stop more of their trains at Flint," he added.

"As the largest county in north Wales it is important that Flintshire has the best possible public transport system with good access to major centres in the region and to the rest of Wales.

"I am sure that the extra passengers these trains will generate will justify the additional stops," he added.

Delyn MP David Hanson said he hopes the extra trains stopping in Flint will take more cars off the road.

In September the first Virgin Pendolino tilting train service from north Wales to London Euston had to be cancelled because of a problem with a diesel locomotive.

The train was unable to run from Holyhead, so passengers along the north Wales coast line had to take a diesel train to Chester.

They then took another to Crewe, to link up with the London service.

Although the train only tilts between Crewe and London, it brings journey times down to north Wales.