UK Government slams door on new rail powers
THE UK Government has shut the door on giving Welsh ministers new powers and responsibilities for Network Rail’s operations in Wales.
The Welsh Government has called for discussions to start about the “devolution of funding for railway infrastructure and direction over Network Rail”.
There are strong concerns about the level of investment in Wales’ rail network.
In 2014 the cross-party Silk Commission recommended the devolution of the “funding of Network Rail in relation to the Wales network”.
And this year the cross-party Westminster Welsh Affairs committee recommended that the devolution of rail infrastructure and associated funding be kept “under review”.
But the UK Government’s response, published today, makes it clear that this is off the agenda.
The Department for Transport argues that there was “no political consensus” on this issue when the Silk Commission recommendations were considered in the so-called St David’s Day process.
It states: “The Government disagrees with this recommendation. Transfer of executive functions in relation to the specification and funding of Network Rail’s operations in Wales was recommended by the Silk Commission.
“This recommendation was considered as part of the St David’s Day process, but there was no political consensus to take it forward. The Government does not intend to revisit the issue given those discussions.”
However, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Ken Skates was unequivocal in his response to the Welsh Affairs report.
He stated: “It will be important to open discussion with the UK Government on the matter of devolution of funding for railway infrastructure and direction over Network Rail.”
Mr Skates raised concerns about the “historical underfunding of the Welsh rail network” of funding, stating that “only 1% of enhancement expenditure has been spent within Network Rail’s Wales Route area since its inception in 2011.”
He added he was “pressing the UK Government to confirm a fair allocation of funding” which would allow it to take forward the following infrastructure schemes:
Cardiff Central station redevelopment;
longer platforms on the South West Valley Lines;
upgraded relief lines between Cardiff and the Severn Tunnel;
additional track capacity between Wrexham and Chester;
improved line speeds between Wrexham and Bidston;
additional track capacity on the Ebbw Vale line with connectivity to Newport and Abertillery;
level crossing closures in West Wales;
modernisation (including electrification) of the North Wales Coast Main Line; improved access to Deeside. In the Welsh Affairs committee report, the MPs address the issue of funding, stating: “During this inquiry we heard that since 2011 only around 1.5% of the rail enhancement expenditure across England and Wales has been made in the Wales Route areas. However, this has to be seen in the context of improvements within England, which have direct beneficial impacts on Wales.”
Plaid Cymru Transport spokesman Jonathan Edwards said: “The state of the Welsh railways is disgraceful and whilst Northern Ireland and Scotland are able to run their own networks, Wales continues to be in the bizarre situation where we have to ask another country to invest in our railways – a country that is too busy building 21st century high speed lines for England to worry about what the weak and feeble Labour Government in Cardiff wants it to do.”
Andy Thomas, Route Managing Director of Network Rail Wales said: “Devolution from the centre to our route team here in Wales and the borders means that many more decisions are being taken here on the ground. It gives us local accountability and responsibility for the operation, financial management and development of the railway now and into the future.”