Wales mustn’t be left on slow train to better rail service, says Assembly Committee report
Faster trains, better stations and more powers for Wales are just some of the recommendations in a new report from the National Assembly for Wales’s Enterprise and Learning Committee.
During the Committee’s two-month inquiry members heard evidence from, among others, Passenger Focus, Arriva Trains Wales, Network Rail and the four regional transport partnerships.
Among the Committee’s 21 recommendations are:
Consideration of urban light railway systems in Cardiff, Swansea and Newport.
Electrification of diversionary lines between south Wales and London line, the Cardiff area and Valleys Lines, and the North Wales Mainline.
Upgrading the Severn Tunnel.
Improved links and services between north and south Wales.
The introduction of new rolling stock, particularly on the Valleys Lines.
The devolution of powers and associated specific funding so that Wales can plan and invest directly in future rail infrastructure.
Chair of the Enterprise and Learning Committee, Gareth Jones AM, said: “This report examines the long-term future of the rail network in Wales. The evidence we have gathered indicates that freight and passenger traffic on our network will increase over the coming years.
“It is important that the Welsh Government provides for that extra demand and that Wales benefits from high-speed rail links to the rest of the UK and Europe.
“The Welsh Government also needs to work with partners to improve the rail links and services between north and south Wales and to make stations fully accessible to all passengers.”