The Welsh Government has criticised the UK Government’s rail funding allocation in the Autumn Budget, stating that it falls short of its request for 1 billion GBP towards addressing decades of underinvestment in Wales.
The UK Government allocated 30 million GBP for the next stage of Cardiff Parkway station. The Welsh Government said this represented just 3 percent of the 1 billion GBP it had sought, as part of the wider 14 billion GBP rail investment programme proposed by Transport for Wales.
Deputy Minister for Transport Mark Hooper described the allocation as an “insult to the people of Wales,” arguing that insufficient investment would affect access to employment, healthcare and family connections, as well as limiting opportunities for economic growth and decarbonisation.
Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper said:This figure is an insult to the people of Wales.
It means more people in Wales struggling to get to hospital appointments, taking longer to get to work or see their family. It’s a missed opportunity for economic growth and tackling climate change.
The UK Government’s continued failure to invest in their network in Wales demonstrates, now, more than ever, the need for devolution of rail.
We need to see their warm words turn into cold hard cash.
The dispute centres on plans to develop new railway stations across Wales. The UK Government previously committed to supporting stations at Magor and Undy, Llanwern, Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Cardiff Parkway and Deeside Industrial Park.
Hooper said the projects were ready to proceed, noting that Network Rail and Transport for Wales had agreed to work together to deliver the so-called Burns stations. He called on the UK Government to provide the funding needed to begin construction.
Hooper said:It’s wrong to say these stations aren’t shovel ready. The UK Government committed to deliver this money in February and since then we’ve agreed with Network Rail that Transport for Wales will deliver the stations. Transport for Wales are ready to start work we just need the UK Government to deliver on their commitment. I made this point to the rail minister when I met him today.
The Welsh Government also highlighted what it described as a disparity between Wales’s share of the railway network and its share of infrastructure spending. It said Wales accounts for 10% of Great Britain’s rail network but receives 1% of Network Rail’s spending.
Hooper added:Wales deserves a fair and reasonable funding settlement. Despite making up 10% of the Great Britain rail network, just 1% of Network Rail's spending goes to Wales. We need a modern rail network fit for the whole of Wales, supported by sustained investment that reflects both need and economic opportunity.
We will stand up for Wales and continue to press for fairer rail funding and a clear pathway to full rail devolution.
The wider 14 billion GBP investment programme forms part of Transport for Wales’s vision for the development of the Welsh rail network. The UK Government has previously committed to supporting the vision, although the Welsh Government is seeking greater clarity on the funding and delivery of individual projects.
Hooper emphasised that the Welsh Government would continue to press for a fairer funding settlement and a clear pathway towards full rail devolution.
