Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cross-border Transport Links

Wednesday 26 February 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The assessment has been made that additional train seats and reduced journey times improve cross-border transport links between Wales and the specified areas.
  • My hon. Friend correctly highlights the M4's importance to economic productivity in Wales, urging the Welsh Labour Government to consider borrowing for infrastructure.
  • Construction work on the line will begin at an unspecified time, with assurance of its importance and 1.5 billion planned investment for rail network improvements.

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Ranil Jayawardena Con Reading West
Transport
Context

Assessment of cross-border rail links between Wales and specific English locations.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of cross-border transport links between Wales and Reading, Farnborough, Guildford and Gatwick Airport?

Answer from David Davies

Earlier this week, we announced 2,000 extra weekday seats on CrossCountry trains between Cardiff and the midlands. We have already reduced journey times by 14 minutes on the Great Western main line between Swansea and London, and connectivity to north Wales will benefit from HS2.

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Q2 Ranil Jayawardena Con Reading West
Transport Wales
Context

Importance of connectivity to Guildford and Gatwick and the need for improved links between M3 and M4.

Question

Does he agree that it is critical to improve links between the M3 and M4?

Answer from David Davies

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to draw attention to the importance of the road network, particularly the M4, to increasing economic productivity in Wales. I hope that Labour Members are aware of its importance and will encourage the Welsh Labour Government to accept borrowing for building the M4 relief road.

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Q3 Nick Smith Lab Blaenau Gwent
Transport
Context

Delays in construction of the western rail link connecting Wales and Heathrow.

Question

When will the construction work on the line properly begin?

Answer from David Davies

I am unable to say when exactly it will begin, but I can assure the hon. Member that it is our policy to make sure it begins. We recognise the importance of links between Heathrow and Reading for Wales' rail network, with £1.5 billion planned investment during control period 6.

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