(Lab): My Lords, related to connectivity is rail
electrification. The Government have abandoned a promise long
made to electrify the line between Cardiff and Swansea, and last
week we had the Government scuppering the proposal for a tidal
barrage in Swansea. Where is the Secretary of State who is meant
to defend Wales in the Cabinet? Has the Minister no good news for
us?
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department
for Transport (Baroness Sugg) (Con): My Lords, the
Secretary of State for Wales does an excellent job of defending
the people of Wales, and I met with him just last week to discuss
transport issues in Wales. We remain committed to delivering the
right outcomes for rail transport in Wales. The introduction of
bimodal intercity express trains means that we no longer need to
electrify the Great Western route between Cardiff and Swansea. We
are also improving journeys for passengers in south Wales sooner
rather than later without the need to carry out disruptive
electrification works....
(GP): My Lords, when the Government look at value for
money, do they look at value for money in terms of climate
change? Clearing up from climate change, whether in Wales or
anywhere else, is extremely expensive. That really ought to come
into the calculation.
: My Lords, of
course we take the impact on the environment into account. Once
the transformation of Great Western is complete, the new
intercity express trains will spend most of their journeys
between London and Swansea in electric mode, with near-zero
emissions. In diesel mode, the new trains will meet the highest
rolling stock emissions standards. The Rail Minister has
challenged the rail industry to phase out diesel-only trains by
2040 as part of a vision to decarbonise the railway.
To read all the exchanges, CLICK
HERE
