Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rail Infrastructure Funding

Wednesday 19 October 2022 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • 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.
  • Colleagues from north Wales have discussed Avanti's poor performance with the Department for Transport will assess Avanti's performance before any further contracts are given out.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
Transport Wales
Context

Discussions about funding for rail infrastructure in Wales, including concerns over the lack of £5 billion consequential funding from HS2.

Question

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?

Answer from David Davies

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific lack of £5 billion funding and review decision

How: Hs2 Is A Uk-Wide Project

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Q2 Sarah Green Lib Dem Chesham and Amersham
Transport
Context

Concerns about Avanti trains' infrequent service and poor performance in north Wales, with constituents unhappy about the extended franchise.

Question

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?

Answer from David Davies

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Ensuring this is Avanti's last chance with the franchise

How: A Number Of Colleagues Have Discussed Avanti'S Poor Performance

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Q3 David Jones Con
Transport
Context

Criticism of rewarding Avanti West Coast with £4 million in bonuses despite poor performance, leading to dissatisfaction among businesses and people.

Question

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?

Answer from David Davies

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.

Not addressed: Agreement on £4 million bonuses issue

How: Why It Is Important To Modernise The Rail Network

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