Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Rail Infrastructure: Wales

10 May 2023 · 6 other contributors · 12,235 words

Opened by Christina Rees Lab Neath

Responding minister: Huw Merriman

TransportWales

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Christina Rees raised concerns about rail infrastructure: wales in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Railway infrastructure in Wales is ageing and requires significant investment for maintenance and modernisation.
  • There is insufficient Access for All funding, leaving 40% of train stations inaccessible without proper modifications.
  • The hon. Member calls for the UK Government to redirect funding from English rail projects to Wales for transformative improvements.

Key requests to Government

The UK Government should commit to investing in a rolling programme to achieve level boarding across Wales and the UK. Additionally, I ask for greater collaboration among companies involved in running the rail network or devolution of Welsh railway funding to ensure accountability and co-ordination. The hon. Member asks the UK Government to redesignate English rail projects such as HS2 as benefiting England only, thereby allowing Wales to receive the Barnett consequential funding it is entitled to. She also calls for the Labour party to guarantee that this funding will be made available if they enter government.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Christina Rees Lab Neath

I am concerned about the ageing railway infrastructure in Wales, which requires significant investment for maintenance and modernisation. There is a lack of co-ordination among rail industry stakeholders and challenges related to Wales's hilly terrain that make laying new track costly. The Access for All funding is insufficient, with 40% of train stations remaining inaccessible and level boarding not enabled without both low-floored trains and platform modifications. The hon. Member is concerned about the underfunding of rail infrastructure in Wales, citing that it has some of the oldest railway infrastructure and requires a high level of additional spending just to maintain its current poor quality. She mentions the loss of £5 billion from HS2 and £1 billion from Northern Powerhouse Rail funding, which she argues should be redirected to Wales for transformative improvements. The hon. Member also highlights that maintaining old infrastructure increases maintenance costs compared to other regions and underscores the need for an integrated public transport network.

Other contributors (6)
  • Beth Winter

    Congratulated on the speech and commended the points about HS2, stating it disregards the devolution settlement. Called for HS2 to be reclassified as an England-only project based on a Welsh Affairs Committee report and a Senedd motion. On the point of a green future, we are facing a climate crisis. My office in south Wales has been doing some work on the development of an integrated transport system in Wales. If Wales had what I regard as its entitlement—£5 billion in consequentials, because HS2 is an England-only project—that would fund the Wales and Swansea Bay metros and the integration of the north Wales line with Merseyside, and allow us to connect Aberystwyth and Swansea by train. Does my hon. Friend agree that the UK Government have a duty to properly fund public transport so that we can address the existential crisis facing our planet?

  • Chris Elmore Lab Ogmore

    My hon. Friend highlights the importance of electrifying the Cardiff-Swansea line, noting air quality improvements from such initiatives.

  • Geraint Davies Lab Swansea West

    Asked whether the electrification of the south Wales main line is a half-done job, noting that David Cameron promised it would reach Swansea but it only ends at Cardiff. He criticised the UK Government for starving Wales of resources, noting that the average wage in Wales is 72.7% of the UK level compared to Scotland's 92%. He pointed out that while Scotland received 8% rail investment over the past two decades, Wales got only 1.5%, and argued that Wales should get its fair share from projects like HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. Davies also highlighted the need for £2.5 billion of rail infrastructure investments to be delivered in the next 10-15 years. The Minister pointed out that infrastructure investment is devolved to Scotland, implying Wales would not benefit equally. He asked if there was a case for full devolution of infrastructure spending to Wales and whether the Government is collaborating with Transport for Wales.

  • Jessica Morden Lab Newport East

    Made a brief positive comment. Ms Morden expressed concern over the underfunding of Welsh rail infrastructure, noting that Wales receives just 1.6% of rail enhancement funding despite accounting for 11% of route network in England and Wales combined. She also highlighted issues with HS2 funding through the Barnett formula, advocating for an additional allocation to benefit Welsh rail passengers. Ms Morden questioned why extra cross-border services could not be provided under the terms of the Wales and Borders franchise. Additionally, she supported a campaign for a new railway station in Magor and Undy in her constituency, emphasizing its potential benefits for commuters and local economic growth. And buses!

  • Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd

    We talk about Wales and Scotland, and on occasion people say we are putting out a begging bowl. We have to bear in mind that London gets the highest regional funding per head through the equivalent of the Barnett formula for England. That needs to be reiterated. If that level of transport funding is good enough for London, why is it not good enough for Wales? The hon. Gentleman is describing many very beneficial investments, but can he commit that the Labour manifesto will include a commitment to devolved rail infrastructure and reinstating the England-only nature of HS2 and similar England-only rail investment, so that Wales receives the full Barnett consequentials it deserves? She asked for clarification on whether the Government would reconsider their position regarding freeports in Pembrokeshire, Port Talbot and Holyhead. She also questioned the fairness of contract distribution related to HS2.

  • Tan Dhesi Lab Slough

    Mr. Tan Dhesi highlighted the importance of rail infrastructure in Wales, emphasising that there has been a 41% decrease in passenger numbers compared to pre-COVID levels. He noted that without proper funding and attention from the UK Government, rail capacity will not improve and passengers may opt for more polluting alternatives. He praised the Welsh Labour Government's efforts, including industrial dispute resolution, introduction of new trains, and commitments to renewable energy sources. He thanked the Minister for allowing clarification, stating that previous Labour Governments provided devolution to Wales. He argued that chronic underspending in Wales needs addressing and questioned why the Government has not explained this issue.

Government Response

Huw Merriman

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mrs Cummins. I thank the hon. Member for Neath (Christina Rees) for opening this debate on Welsh rail infrastructure and for chairing the all-party parliamentary group. Despite fiscal challenges, the March Budget confirmed funding for rail enhancements in Wales for the next five years. Through collaboration with the Welsh Government and other stakeholders, there is an opportunity to drive forward sustainable transport solutions. The UK Secretary of State for Transport funds heavy rail infrastructure in England and Wales directly, while Scottish Ministers fund rail infrastructure through Barnett-based funding. Although Wales will not receive HS2 services, it benefits from improved journey times via interchange at Crewe and potential supply chain opportunities. Current plans see Welsh passengers benefiting from an interchange at Old Oak Common with the Elizabeth line for faster access to Heathrow and central London. The UK Government remains committed to funding projects in England and Wales without adding Barnett consequentials to HS2's bill. We have supported the Welsh Government's ambition to control rail infrastructure, evidenced by divesting core valley lines to them in 2020. In its most recent statistics published for 2020-21, the Office of Rail and Road reports that Government funding of the operational railway was £3.85 per passenger mile in Wales, almost 90% higher than in England. The UK Government have invested heavily in rail infrastructure in Wales, with over £2 billion spent during control period 6 (2019-2024), and almost £1 billion on renewing and upgrading infrastructure to meet future needs. Signalling systems are being upgraded across Wales to support new high-performance Welsh-built trains. The Cardiff capital region benefits from £250 million of UK Government investment in the core valley lines, Cardiff Crossrail and the transformation of Cardiff Central station. Work is progressing on the south Wales relief lines upgrade, which will be progressed to a full business case shortly. A Wales Rail Board has been established to strengthen collaboration between the UK and Welsh Governments on rail infrastructure. The global centre of rail excellence in Neath is supported by £30 million of UK Government funding alongside contributions from the Welsh Government and the private sector. Restoration of closed Beeching lines continues through projects sponsored by MPs, with over 200 right hon. and hon. Members involved. Access for All programme has seen improvements at 1,500 stations across the UK to assist in accessibility.

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