Statement by the Minister for Economy and Transport on a railway for Wales

Since the launch of the Williams rail review, following the clear and critical failings of the current railway delivery model, we have consistently set out our expectations that the review should contain a number of changes. One, it should enable Wales to own, to manage and to develop our own infrastructure; two, give us greater flexibility to operate high-quality, frequent cross-border services to more destinations; to also allow us to select from a range of service and infrastructure delivery models, with a greater role for the public sector; and to ensure that organisations responsible for delivering passenger services and rail infrastructure in Wales—including train operators, Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road—are properly accountable to the Welsh Government.

Since the Assembly voted overwhelmingly to support the Welsh Government’s position, we have submitted our final response to the UK Government’s review. This explained how, with these new powers and responsibilities, we would develop our railway in Wales to meet our own needs and objectives, and deliver our obligations under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The new Wales and borders franchise has allowed the Welsh Government, through Transport for Wales, to develop an innovative approach that will see transformational changes for passengers delivered right across the Wales and borders area. Through devolution, we created an organisation that oversaw a procurement process that put our own objectives at its heart, developed skills and expertise in Wales, and delivered a model to maximise wider benefits. This would simply not have been possible through a UK Government-led process.

The transfer and transformation of the core Valleys lines to the Welsh Government demonstrates how decentralisation and devolution can develop innovative bespoke solutions to delivering an integrated transport network.

The ability to dedicate time and focus effort on delivering outcomes that meet local needs and broader objectives has resulted in wider benefits in terms of attracting employment, developing local expertise, delivering community benefits, and promoting our culture and language. For example, 22 Transport for Wales ambassadors will work with communities to remove real and perceived barriers to transport, to encourage the use of public transport and active travel and to turn train stations into vibrant community hubs.

But we need to go further, to take on greater responsibility and powers to transform the railway across Wales, to deliver infrastructure and services that meet the needs of future generations, and to improve accessibility and accountability to local communities, to ensure that they have the high-quality railway that they deserve. Evidently, the ability to meet diverse local needs can only be achieved through devolution settlements where decision-making processes are informed by community, regional and national priorities.

We recognise that it may be beneficial for some functions, such as safety standards, cross-border timetables and rail freight access, to remain managed centrally at a Great Britain level. However, this system must recognise the diversity of a UK devolution settlement and be subject to appropriate governance, transparency and representation from national Governments and authorities with devolved powers.

We are already in a strong position to meet these challenges. In Transport for Wales, we already have the structures, the expertise and the processes in place to take on these new responsibilities and powers. Cross-border issues were collectively and comprehensively addressed by the Welsh and UK Governments when responsibility for the Wales and borders franchise was transferred. And today we publish our vision for our railway that aligns with our wider social, economic and environmental objectives, our transport priorities, and our commitment to future generations.

We therefore have a template for delivering the remaining elements of devolution, we have unprecedented cross-party support, and we have an ambitious and deliverable vision that will reverse the decades of underinvestment in our railway. We are approaching a critical juncture in the evolution of the railways in Great Britain, and in particular the opportunity to develop a network that better meets the needs of the people in Wales that use it, and the communities that rely on it.

I'm also today setting out the Welsh Government’s principles for future public transport connectivity that will offer a step change in frequencies, integration and journey times. Only with the appropriate devolution and funding settlement can these be delivered through a programme developed in Wales.

Now, I welcome the positive engagement that the Welsh Government has had with Keith Williams and his team, who have shown a strong interest in our approach in Wales to procuring the franchise, the integration of track and train, and the challenges that we face under the current devolution settlement. I have every reason to believe that our case has been heard, and that further devolution to the Welsh Government will be recommended. I now expect the UK Government to reflect our requirements, meet our expectations, and set a clear pathway, timeline and programme for full devolution of our railways. I expect the UK Government to meet their commitment to publish a White Paper this autumn, and we stand ready to work with them on its implementation.

Our railway is fundamental to an effective and efficient transport network and should be one of our most socially and economically valuable assets. It has the potential to make a significant contribution in Wales to people’s lives, our communities, the environment and to our economy. Its continued development and expansion will contribute to our ambition to develop a stronger, more inclusive and more equitable economy, and to deliver prosperity for all by connecting people, communities and business to jobs, services and markets.

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