Coronavirus delay to Wrexham ‘230s’

The long-awaited introduction of Class 230 D-Trains on the Wrexham-Bidston line has been delayed until May 2022.

Due to enter service in December, the five refurbished diesel/battery hybrid trains have been undergoing testing and driver training on the route ever since the first unit was delivered by Vivarail in August 2020.

However, Transport for Wales announced on September 16 that delays to staff training as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic had forced a postponement to the D-Trains’ planned introduction and an associated timetable uplift to two trains per hour until May 2022.

In a statement, TfW said it had been “working closely with Network Rail to deliver the necessary infrastructure improvements and enhancements” to the line and to ensure all drivers and conductors are fully trained to use the new rolling stock.

Lee Robinson, development director for Mid, North and Rural Wales, added: “The last 17 months have been extremely challenging, not only in navigating our way through a global pandemic but also continuing to work towards our vision for a more integrated transport across north Wales and the English borders.”