Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cross-border Rail Connectivity

Wednesday 16 July 2025 · 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 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chancellor announces at least 445 million for Welsh rail to transform passenger experience and job connections across north Wales and Manchester
  • Wales Office pleased with Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Transport launching Network North Wales to better connect north Wales and north-west England through enhanced rail services
  • Midlands rail hub project will introduce additional trains per hour from Cardiff to the midlands, enhancing cross-border connectivity between Wales and England

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Elsie Blundell Lab Heywood and Middleton North
Transport Wales Local Government
Context

The question follows the Chancellor's announcement of £445 million for Welsh rail, aimed at improving services and economic growth in north Wales and north-west England.

Question

The Chancellor’s announcement of at least £445 million for Welsh rail will be transformative for Welsh passengers and Better Connect workers with jobs across north Wales and Manchester, but only if we are pulling in the same direction. What steps will be taken by the Wales Office to ensure that national Governments, devolved Governments and our combined authority in Greater Manchester are working together to improve connectivity and bring the people of the north-west and north Wales closer together?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is why I was pleased to see the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates recently launch Network North Wales in Wrexham. That really exciting plan will better connect communities in north Wales and north-west England through more rail and bus services and greater integration. Benefits will include 50% more timetabled services on the north Wales main line, boosting cross-border connectivity and driving economic growth between north Wales and north-west England. In addition, the investment in rail infrastructure will boost capacity on the Wrexham to Liverpool line.

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Q2 Dave Robertson Lab Lichfield
Transport Wales
Context

The question addresses the introduction of the midlands rail hub project, which aims to enhance cross-border connectivity between Wales and England.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that the introduction of the midlands rail hub project, which will see an additional train per hour from Cardiff in south Wales to the midlands, is a great sign that this Government are investing not just in Wales and the midlands but in the whole country?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)

I thank my hon. Friend for his question—and for his very good Welsh. The first phase of the midlands rail hub will enable additional trains between Birmingham and south Wales, strengthening cross-border connectivity between Wales and England. That is absolutely what this Government’s investment is about: creating jobs and growth and connecting Wales and England.

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