Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cross-border Rail Connectivity

Wednesday 29 October 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Catherine Fookes inquired about steps being taken to improve cross-border rail connectivity between Wales and England.
  • The Minister acknowledged a 445 million investment aimed at unlocking Wales's economic potential.
  • Aphra Brandreth questioned the lack of infrastructure investment in north-west England and north Wales.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Catherine Fookes Lab Monmouthshire
Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the need for improved cross-border rail connectivity between Wales and England, particularly focusing on her constituents in Magor and Undy who would benefit from a new station.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve cross-border rail connectivity between Wales and England. I thank the Minister for that £445 million investment, which will be a fundamental driver of economic growth and connectivity in south Wales. What action is she taking with Cabinet colleagues and industry partners to ensure that a new station serving my constituents in Magor and Undy is delivered without delay, getting my constituents on track, and faster, towards their destinations?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Anna McMorrin)

My hon. Friend has been a strong champion for this rail investment, which is the key to unlock Wales’s economic potential. It includes funds to progress the five Burns stations in Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern and Magor and Undy. I will continue to work with the Wales Rail Board and the Welsh Government to ensure that the community my hon. Friend represents is given the infrastructure that it needs.

Answered
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Q2 Aphra Brandreth Con Chester South and Eddisbury
Economy Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of rail infrastructure development in the north-west of England and north Wales, citing previous Conservative Government commitments that were scrapped by the current Labour Government.

Question

The huge potential of both the north-west of England and north Wales is being held back by poor rail infra-structure. The last Conservative Government committed themselves to spending at least £1 billion to upgrade and electrify the railway lines from Crewe and Warrington through Chester and into north Wales, but this Labour Government have scrapped those transformational plans, at a time when economic growth is a priority. Will the Minister seek to reinstate the vital rail infrastructure investment in the Mersey Dee and north Wales region?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Anna McMorrin)

That money just did not exist. We are investing a historic £445 million in Welsh rail to right years of underfunding by previous Governments, unleashing Wales’s economic potential. That will mean new stations, faster trains on key lines, and connecting people with well-paid and better jobs right across Wales. Two Governments are working in partnership to deliver for the people of Wales.

Partly answered

Not addressed: reinstating previous Conservative Government's rail infrastructure plans

How: That Money Just Did Not Exist.

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