Electrification of the Cardiff to Swansea mainline in great doubt - Welsh Lib Dems

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have raised concerns over the electrification of the Cardiff to Swansea mainline.

Electrification between Cardiff and Swansea was planned to be completed by 2018, however a report published in 2015 delayed the electrification of the line to 2024.

The total estimated cost of the Great Western route modernisation programme is £5.58 billion.

Commenting, former Wales Office Minister Baroness Randerson, said;

“It is becoming increasingly clear that the plans to electrify the Cardiff to Swansea mainline are in great doubt.

“We have already seen huge delays to the programme to electrify the line beyond Cardiff, and these further delays will mean years of uncertainty for Swansea and the wider region.

“Two years on from the initial delay announced in 2015 and there is still no clear costings, no start date and no budget. There is a very real risk that it will not happen at all.

“The UK Conservative Government must make assurances to the communities and businesses of the Swansea region. Delivering anything short of the original commitment would be wholly unacceptable.”

DIWEDD/ENDS

Notes

• Baroness Randerson asked an Open Question in the House of Lords on the 14th of March 2017 on the electrification of the Great Western Mainline - https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2017-03-14/debates/4286E0C8-8DF4-400B-B59B-6D8D118202B9/GreatWesternMainLine

• The Cardiff to Swansea route will be subject to the next control period, Control Period 6.

• A review published in 2015 by Peter Hendy, Chairman of Network Rail, delayed the time frame for delivery of the Great Western Mainline and South Wales Mainline.