Rail Funding in Wales 2022-11-24
2022-11-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the lack of rail investment in Wales compared to other regions.
Whether he has plans to increase rail funding in Wales. The Minister will know that HS2 will reduce travel times from London to Manchester but the travel time to Swansea remains at about three hours. How is it that Scotland gets additional £8 billion in Barnett consequentials but Wales does not get its fair share of £5 billion for levelling up?
This Government are investing through Network Rail up to £2 billion in the rail network in Wales over the current five-year control period. There are no direct Barnett consequentials from HS2 to Wales, but there are indirect benefits I can explain when we meet. The Office of Rail and Road reports that Government funding for the operational railway was £1.27 per passenger kilometre in England and £2.39 in Wales and Scotland.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask to allocate £5 billion or discuss a fair share was not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the disparity in rail investment between Scotland, which gets Barnett consequentials from HS2, and Wales.
How will the Minister look at improving rail journey times to Swansea given that travel times are not reducing as much for Wales compared to other regions? Will he meet me to discuss a fair share of £5 billion in funding?
The hon. Member is right that there are no direct Barnett consequentials from HS2 to Wales, but there are indirect benefits I can explain when we meet. Government funding for the operational railway was £1.27 per passenger kilometre in England and £2.39 in Wales and Scotland.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about allocating £5 billion or discussing a fair share was not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about improving transport connectivity in her region as part of the levelling up agenda.
How will the Minister use RNEP to improve journey times in north Wales? Will the scope be extended to include rail links to HS2 and the northern powerhouse; when visiting Ynys Môn, will he come by train?
I will certainly come by train to meet my hon. Friend who is a true champion for transport in Ynys Môn. She has secured a Backbench Business debate on the west coast main line scheduled for 15 December, and I expect to have the business case for the project on my desk next year.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about expanding RNEP scope was not directly addressed.
Response accuracy