Mersey  Dee Alliance c/o Cheshire West and Chester Council Nicholas Street    Chester   CH1 2NP Email: emma.wynne@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk Wednesday 13^th January 2016

RE: Priorities for the Future of Welsh Rail Infrastructure Inquiry

Dear Ms de Gama Howells,

On behalf of the Mersey Dee Alliance , I would like to take this opportunity to confirm support from the Alliance for the responses to the Priorities for the Future of Welsh Rail Infrastructure Inquiry submitted by Merseytravel, on behalf of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, the North Wales Economic Ambition Board and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The Mersey Dee Alliance (MDA) is a strategic economic partnership across Flintshire, Wrexham, Cheshire West and Chester and Wirral. The MDA recognises the importance of cross border collaboration to strengthen our combined economy across North Wales, Cheshire and Merseyside and therefore supports the priorities for rail infrastructure investment outlined in the three responses mentioned above.

It is important for the Inquiry to note that the economy of Mersey-Dee cross-border region generates £17bn GVA per annum and has great growth potential.  Locations such as Wirral Waters Enterprise Zone, Deeside Enterprise Zone, Ellesmere Port Enterprise Zone, Wrexham Industrial Estate and Technology Park, central Chester Business District and Thornton Science Park could deliver 40,000-50,000 new jobs over the next 15-20 years. Combined with Anglesey Enterprise Zone, Snowdonia Enterprise Zone, the wider Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership area and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority it is clear that this combined economy is of significant importance  to the UK.

The private sector will be the principal driver of this growth and both UK and Welsh Governments, and their delivery agents, have a critical role to play in creating the conditions that will facilitate indigenous growth and attract new investment. In particular, an efficient, integrated transport infrastructure that provides businesses with fast access to national and international markets and enables people to access employment opportunities is essential if the region is to achieve its full growth potential.

I look forward to the Business and Enterprise Committee meeting for this Inquiry on 28th January where we can further raise these important issues.

Yours sincerely,

Yours sincerely

Cllr Pat Hackett

Chair

Mersey Dee Alliance