Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Railway Infrastructure

Wednesday 25 May 2022 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Christine Jardine inquired about discussions on railway infrastructure in Wales and the new public sector body for Britain's railways, to which the Secretary of State responded with details on funding and collaboration with the Welsh Government.
  • David Jones questioned the Secretary of State about discussions on advancing the electrification project between Wrexham and Bidston, to which the response noted ongoing discussions with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Transport for Wales.
  • Nia Griffith inquired about reinstating the plans for electrification of the line to Swansea, to which the Secretary of State agreed on the importance of rail infrastructure but defended the cancellation of the electrification plan in favor of bimodal trains.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Transport Wales
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of investment and delays in railway services, especially in Scotland. She references a traumatic incident involving a school in Powys.

Question

What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on railway infrastructure in Wales?

Answer from Simon Hart

I regularly discuss rail infrastructure in Wales with the Secretary of State for Transport. More than £340 million has already been provided for rail enhancements in Wales, including the core valley lines and Cardiff Central station.

Answered
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Q2 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Transport Wales
Context

The MP references the establishment of a new public sector body to oversee Britain's railways and highlights issues in Scotland due to the mismanagement of ScotRail by the SNP.

Question

From the Queen's Speech, we learned of a new public sector body to oversee Britain's railways. Given the importance of the railway infrastructure and the benefits of linking north Wales to HS2, can the Secretary of State tell us what discussions the Government have had with devolved Administrations to boost connectivity across the United Kingdom?

Answer from Simon Hart

The UK Government have been working alongside the Welsh Government where they can on infrastructure projects, particularly those involving rail. We are also spending many millions of pounds on infrastructure more broadly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on discussions and actions taken to boost connectivity across the UK were not provided

How: Working Alongside, Many Millions

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Q3 David Jones Con
Transport
Context

The MP highlights support for the electrification project in north Wales, which would link two enterprise zones.

Question

As my right hon. Friend will know, there is considerable and long-standing support in north Wales for the electrification of the line between Wrexham and Bidston. What discussions has he had with colleagues in the Department for Transport about advancing this project?

Answer from Simon Hart

The Government recognise the importance of the line to which my right hon. Friend has referred, and I know that Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Transport for Wales have been discussing the opportunities presented by battery-powered trains. We will have further meetings with the Department for Transport about this issue.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on discussions and actions taken to advance the project were not provided

How: Discussions, Further Meetings

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Q4 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Transport Climate
Context

The MP mentions the cancellation of Labour's plans for electrification of the line to Swansea, citing concerns about climate change and reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Question

This Government cancelled Labour's plans for electrification of the line to Swansea. Will the Secretary of State talk to his colleagues about reinstating the plans for electrification of that line, extending electrification further west through my constituency to the Pembrokeshire ports?

Answer from Simon Hart

I agree with her general views about rail infrastructure and net zero. However, the cancellation of electrification was taken in the context of bimodal trains as an equally beneficial alternative.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on reinstatement or extension plans were not provided

How: Agree With Her General Views, Background To The Cancellation

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Q5 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Transport Wales
Context

The MP highlights the disparity between Wales' share of UK railway infrastructure and investment received. He mentions a denial of £5 billion for Wales through HS2 classification.

Question

Wales contains 11% of the UK's railway infrastructure, but in recent years has received only 1% of the Government's investment. Will the Secretary of State use his position at the Cabinet table to ensure that his Government cough up?

Answer from Simon Hart

We have invested £340 million so far, with £125 million for the core valley lines, £58 million for Cardiff Central station, and other investments across Wales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments to increase investment were not provided

How: Invested £340 Million, Could Go On Forever

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Q6 Daniel Kawczynski Con
Transport
Context

The MP highlights the interdependence between communities in Shropshire and Wales, especially regarding rail services.

Question

We are campaigning in Shropshire for the electrification of the line from Birmingham to Shrewsbury. Will he take an interest in that scheme to ensure that the people of mid-Wales can benefit from quicker times to Birmingham via this electrification process?

Answer from Simon Hart

I am happy to meet my hon. Friend on that point and see what we can do to help with the campaign for the electrification of the line from Birmingham to Shrewsbury.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or commitments were not provided

How: Happy To Meet, See What We Can Do

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