Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Narrow Gauge Railway Tourism

Wednesday 6 December 2023 · 2 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

  • Michael Fabricant asked about discussions with the Welsh Government on promoting narrow gauge railway tourism in Wales.
  • The response highlighted the importance of narrow gauge and heritage railways to the UK's tourism sector.
  • The Secretary of State acknowledged the role of Visit Britain in marketing Wales's narrow gauge railways internationally.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Michael Fabricant Con
Transport Wales
Context

The MP enquires about promoting narrow gauge railway tourism, which is an important aspect of the UK's tourism sector. The government has previously shown support for this industry.

Question

Whether he has had discussions with the Welsh Government on promoting and supporting narrow gauge railway tourism in Wales.

Answer from Fay Jones

Narrow gauge and heritage railways are important for our tourism sector. Although tourism is, of course, devolved, the UK Government have demonstrated their support for the sector. The Secretary of State saw that at first hand on 2 June, when he opened Corwen station, which was partly funded by the UK Government's levelling-up fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific discussions with Welsh Government on promoting narrow gauge railway tourism were not addressed

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Q2 Michael Fabricant Con
Transport Wales
Context

The MP highlights a personal experience where a friend from France was impressed by the narrow gauge railway in Tywyn, Wales. He enquires about promoting these unique Welsh narrow gauge railways in Europe.

Question

First, I welcome my hon. Friend to the Dispatch Box; it is a pleasure to see her there. A little while back, a friend of mine from Rouen, Thierry Fontenay, came over to Tywyn in Gwynedd. I asked myself, “How can I amuse him?” I took him on the Talyllyn railway, and we went from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn. He was over the moon—he took photographs of the engine and went on to the footplate. He told me that there are no narrow gauge railways like that, if at all, in France. What can we do to promote in Europe these wonderful narrow gauge railways that we have in Wales?

Answer from Fay Jones

My hon. Friend is, of course, right: Wales's narrow gauge railways are part of our unique tourism offer, so it is vital that they are marketed to the world. That is why Visit Britain works to ensure that Wales's brand values are reflected in the broader GREAT campaign. Let me do Visit Britain and Visit Wales's job for them and warmly invite Monsieur Fontenay to come and see the premier narrow gauge railway—the Brecon Mountain railway.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific actions to promote Welsh narrow gauge railways in Europe were not detailed, instead inviting a tourist to visit

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