, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, has
said the recently announced ‘Union Connectivity Review’ should be
used as an opportunity to “put right” the UK Government’s neglect
of Welsh railways.
The Union Connectivity Review was launched by the UK Government
to explore ways to improve connectivity between Wales, England,
Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Minister has previously made clear that the review must
respect the current devolution settlement and not stray into
matters which are the responsibility of the Welsh Government.
This red line on devolved responsibilities was set out alongside
Ministerial counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Welsh Government has calculated that under current spending
plans, a conservative estimate of the underfunding of Welsh
railways from 2001-2029 is £2.4bn, and this figure could be as
high as £5.1bn.
A document setting out the calculations has been published today.
Another report which outlines how investment would benefit for
north and south Wales mainlines (as part of Metro systems) has
also been published.
Last week Llwybr Newydd was published, a new draft transport
strategy pledging a major reduction in carbon emissions from the
Welsh transport sector. It included a new sustainable transport
hierarchy that would prioritise public transport over roads. The
need to get more people out of cars and onto buses, trains and
sustainable forms of travel is a key driver of the Welsh
Government’s vision for transport.
said:
“The UK Government has to demonstrate its sincerity to levelling
up our country by addressing their failure to invest fairly in
Wales’s rail, broadband and aviation connectivity. It has refused
to devolve these powers and funding, whilst also failing to take
our connectivity seriously. The Union Connectivity Review is an
opportunity for the UK Government to reflect on historic
underinvestment and to focus on putting things right.”
Notes to editors
The Welsh Government has called for the full devolution of rail
and a fair funding settlement. This was outlined in its response
to the Williams Rail Review. Further information is available
here: https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2019-10/a-railway-for-wales-the-case-for-devolution.pdf
