Rail Infrastructure Funding 2022-10-19
2022-10-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussions about funding for rail infrastructure in Wales, including concerns over the lack of £5 billion consequential funding from HS2.
What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on funding for rail infrastructure in Wales. Will the Minister explain why Wales is not receiving the £5 billion of consequential funding from HS2 that it is entitled to under the Barnett formula, and will he review that decision, as the Welsh Conservative party is also calling for?
HS2 is a UK-wide project to encourage public transport use. The UK Government has spent over £340 million on rail enhancements in Wales, including Cardiff Central station and the Severn tunnel electrification. Rail services for travellers from Wales into England are also being improved.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific lack of £5 billion funding and review decision
Hs2 Is A Uk-Wide Project
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerns about Avanti trains' infrequent service and poor performance in north Wales, with constituents unhappy about the extended franchise.
Avanti trains sometimes trundle along the rail infrastructure of north Wales, but these days it is an increasingly infrequent occurrence. Avanti has provided a shockingly poor service to the people of north Wales, and many of my constituents were deeply unhappy when the Department for Transport decided to extend its franchise for a further six months to give it a further chance. Will my hon. Friend please urge his counterpart in the Department for Transport to make sure this is Avanti's last chance?
Colleagues from north Wales have discussed Avanti's poor performance. The Department for Transport will assess Avanti's performance before any further contracts are given out.
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Assessment & feedback
Ensuring this is Avanti's last chance with the franchise
A Number Of Colleagues Have Discussed Avanti'S Poor Performance
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Criticism of rewarding Avanti West Coast with £4 million in bonuses despite poor performance, leading to dissatisfaction among businesses and people.
It seems that rewarding failure is this Government's guiding principle, and even Conservative Members agree. Avanti West Coast is the worst performing operator on the rail network, but Ministers spent an eye-watering £4 million of taxpayers' money on bonuses to company executives for customer experience and acting as a good operator. Does the Minister agree that this is simply not good enough for the businesses and people of north Wales?
Many concerns have been raised about Avanti's performance. It shows why modernising the rail network across Wales is important, which the UK Government are currently doing.
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Assessment & feedback
Agreement on £4 million bonuses issue
Why It Is Important To Modernise The Rail Network
Response accuracy