The dream of an electrified GreatWestern is still buzzing
The battle is on to ensure that electrification to Swansea is not seen as a lost cause but something that makes it into the Labour manifesto, writes David Williamson
THE fight to secure electrification of the Great Western line from London to Swansea is not over.
There was dismay in the city when it was announced that the trains will have to switch to diesel for the leg of the journey from Cardiff to Swansea.
But a new campaign is gathering steam to get the U-turn reversed and ensure the full electrification of the line.
Manuel Cortes, the general secretary of the TSSA transport trade union, came to the city this week to plan a new push for the upgrade.
He wants a “people-powered campaign” which will ensure electrification stays on the political agenda. A key goal is securing a Labour manifesto commitment to electrify the line.
Mr Cortes said: “It is our view that what the Tories have just done is an act of economic vandalism for the people of Swansea.
“The reality is it’s been a longstanding policy for our union to get the line electrified all the way from London to Swansea.
“There’s absolutely no excuse for it not to be done. Electrification will bring economic and social benefits to the people of Swansea.
“It’s about time some money was spent across the network and not just concentrated in London and the southeast.”
The new “bi-mode” trains will switch from electricity to diesel at Cardiff but Mr Cortes is adamant that people should not tolerate anything less than full electrification.
He said: “To invest in upgrading a railway line and not put in electric trains is sheer madness.”
Upbeat about the chances of securing a U-turn, he said: “We are incredibly hopeful that this decision can be reversed. We will be campaigning across the country because it’s not just in Swansea where the Tories has given up on the kind of investment our economy needs for the 21st century.”
Swansea West Labour MP Geraint Davies was outraged that the cancellation announcement was made in a written statement just as the Commons broke up for the summer recess. He described this as an “abuse of the House and a slap in the face for Swansea”.
At a time when there are high ambitions for the Swansea city region, Mr Davies argues that electrification must be delivered.
He said: “We need to complete the picture with being part of the panEuropean electrified rail network.”
The cancellation of the rail enhancement will add to concerns that other infrastructure projects may be at risk. There will be great disappointment in Wales if a planned “spur” from the Great Western line to Heathrow – which would remove the need to go to Paddington and then head back west to the airport – did not become a reality.
Mr Davies said: “The business community and inward investors have been promised electrification to Swansea [and] a fast connection to Heathrow via Reading... The fact that the Government is dragging its heels, breaking its promises and creating uncertainty certainly doesn’t help anybody.”
He fears that the HS2 network will “do nothing for us other than displace investment into England”.
Plaid Cymru transport spokesman Jonathan Edwards made the case for investment in the Welsh rail network and raised concerns about the continuing use of “ancient” carriages.
He said: “The British Government wants Welsh taxpayers to contribute towards paying for HS2 – the most expensive railway track in history – and they want us to do it while Wales continues to have one of the most inadequate and outdated railway networks in Europe, thanks to the neglect of the same British Government that’s insisting on building HS2.”
A UK Government Department for Transport spokesman said: “We put the passenger at the heart of everything we do which is why we are providing a faster, smoother and more comfortable journey between Cardiff and Swansea without the needless disruption of engineering works.
“New diesel-electric trains which will be in service on the line from this autumn will shave up to 15 minutes off journey times between Swansea and London, while providing 40% more seats on rush-hour journeys.
“The speed limit on the SwanseaCardiff route is such that the new fleet of trains will be doing the route in exactly the same time as they would be on a fully-electrified route, so the things people care about most – getting there on time and finding a seat – are delivered without the bother of what they care about least – how their trains are powered.”