It was quickly branded as an election gimmick by Plaid Cymru, and the Welsh Conservatives, with the project's westernmost reach stopping at Rhyl at the time, also criticised for excluding the western principal areas of North Wales.
Jones denied that the proposal was being used to gain votes in the upcoming election, but admitted that the Welsh Government would be more focussed on improving the existing network.
[14] In April 2018, a cash boost of £1.2 million was award to the proposed scheme which included a new station at Deeside.
[15] On 19 December 2019, it was announced as part of a draft budget from the Welsh Government, that the plans for the development of the North Wales Metro received a £20 million boost.
It described the metro to be in its initial phases and current work is focused on setting the foundations of the project.
The plan highlighted TfW's "emerging priority projects" focused on four sectors of transport; Rail, Bus and Integration, Local, and Other.
These projects were described by TfW to be ones they are "keen to take forward and research in more detail through business cases and scheme proposals, in partnership with the region and local authorities".
His visit marked the works carried out by the government on the project following the £9 million injection into the scheme in March.
These long-term investments, in particular concerning Network Rail infrastructure (such as the North Wales Coast Line), come under the responsibility of the UK Government.
Mr Waters stated it was time for Wales to receive its fair share of transport funding, proportional to its population and trackage, which Waters state has been lacking in the past decade, leading to a £5 billion shortfall in transport infrastructure investment.
Pictures alongside the release back up proposals in the Metro Development Plan, with new stations at Greenfield, Broughton, and Deeside.
TfW described these trains to provide a faster service, increased capacity and better air conditioning.
[32] The request to increase services was impacted by the delay of the refurbished trains and a timetable conflict with freight traffic.
In January 2021, works to improve Wrexham General commenced, with them lasting through February, the works aimed to deliver key improvements to the customer areas of the station, such as a renovated and extended waiting area, new changing room and toilet refurbishment, increasing cycle parking capacity, and adding new recycling facilities to the station.
On 18 June 2019, the leader of Flintshire Council, Ian Roberts (Labour), has complained over the lack of progress with the Metro, believing the Welsh Government to have not moved forward quickly enough with the proposals, despite committing money to the enhancements of roads and cycle routes in Flintshire.
He stated that "The people of North Wales deserve to know why the Welsh Government is investing £700 million more in a metro for the South than the one planned for here...
They are sick of being the poor relation and the Welsh Government need to explain to them why North Wales is continually overlooked when it comes to funding.” A spokesperson for the Welsh Government, said that they have been spending "unprecedented" amounts on the transport infrastructure of North Wales, including £135 million for the Caernarfon and Bontnewydd bypass, and £30 million for improvements on the A55 at Aber Tai'r Meibion.