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A Railway for Meeting the needs of future generations Our vision for full rail will enable us to deliver a transformative railway development programme across Wales that meets the needs of future generations

Meeting the needs of Future

Generations The importance of rail devolution meet our own statutory duties – under and a fair funding settlement for the Equality, Environment, Welsh Wales can not be underestimated. Language, and Wellbeing of Future In a Plenary debate on the future of Generations Acts - alongside our rail in Wales in February 2019, there determination to treat all areas of was an unprecendented cross-party Wales equally in terms of accessibility support for change. We now have a to economic and social opportunities. deep conviction across the National Assembly for Wales that rail devolution We have set out our clear, is essential for us to deliver the comprehensive, and conclusive case comprehensive, integrated, and efficient for full rail devolution and a fair transport network needed across funding settlement in our submission Wales to better connect our nation, to the UK Government through the grow our economy, and deliver on our Williams Rail Review. This is fully commitment to tackle climate change. supported by the cross-party Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee For too long Wales has been denied of the National Assembly for Wales. its fair share of rail infrastructure funding and the Now is the right time for the UK has had little choice but to divert Government to put things right and our own funding from our devolved empower us to deliver for our future responsibilities like health and generations through our exciting education in order to make essential vision for the transformative railway investments in our rail network, despite development programme for the it being under the control of the UK future set out in this document. Government. We must end this historic AM and continuing under-investment Minister for Economy and Transport so that we can finally prioritise and properly fund our own needs and

2 © Crown copyright 2019 WG39072 Digital ISBN 978-1-83933-238-8 Mae’r ddogfen yma hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg. A Railway for Wales 3 Our railway should be It has the potential to make a significant one of our most socially contribution in Wales to people’s lives, and economically our communities, the environment, valuable assets. and to our economy.

Our rail infrastructure and rail services Furthermore, the ability to dedicate are fundamental to an effective and time and focus effort on delivering efficient transport network. Their outcomes that meet local needs, continued development and expansion regional priorities, and the Welsh will contribute to our ambition to Government’s objectives has develop a stronger, inclusive and resulted in wider benefits in terms of more equitable economy and to attracting employment, developing deliver prosperity for all by connecting local expertise, comprehensive people, communities and businesses benefits, and promoting to jobs, services and markets. Welsh culture and language.

Perhaps more importantly the However, we are also aware that this is expansion of rail services can help us only the beginning of a journey. Many to address some of the underlying areas in Wales either continue to suffer causes of the climate emergency we from infrequent services, unreliable face by making it possible for far more infrastructure, and indirect routes. of us to access affordable, efficient, and attractive pubic transport services Our ambition is to continue to support and so reduce road congestion, carbon our economy and communities, emissions and air quality impacts. by continuing to develop an integrated transport network that The devolution, and subsequent award, allows more of us to travel where of the Wales and Borders franchise we want to, when we want to, has allowed the Welsh Government, and to do so more sustainably. through , to develop an approach that will deliver transformational changes to Welsh rail services, including almost a third more weekday services, the majority using new rolling stock, and new and improved, stations.

4 A Railway for Wales 5 With the right powers Despite not being funded to do so, A fair devolution settlement for Wales the Welsh Government has chosen would allow us over the next 10 years to and necessary funding, to invest in our rail infrastructure – fund an ambitious strategic programme choosing to connect communities (including the re-opening of railway we could be doing through re-opening lines and new lines, upgrade of the south and north much more: more stations, prioritising increasing Wales mainlines, new routes, and new capacity to provide viable and popular stations across the network) to support services to improve services, and closing level crossings to the level of services required to meet access to jobs and leisure improve safety and journey times. our objectives for our communities, our economy, and our environment. activities, more attractive Without a fair devolution and funding settlement from the UK Government, The transfer of the Core Valleys journey times to this investment by the Welsh Lines (which already carry over half encourage people away Government can only currently come of existing services in Wales) to the at the expense of the funding that Welsh Government, offers further from private cars, and we receive to pay for improvements evidence of the benefits of how to the wider transport network, local decentralisation and devolution can more stations to connect services, and new schools and hospitals. develop innovative bespoke solutions our communities. to delivering an integrated transport While a programme of enhancements network. In particular, bringing track worth over £150 billion is being funded and train together through Transport for development and delivery across for Wales is an approach that has the border, we continue to wait for only secured limited political traction a similarly ambitious commitment and institutional interest at a UK level. from the UK Government to fund and With the establishment of Transport deliver strategic schemes in Wales. To for Wales, therefore, we not only have fill this void, the Welsh Government the ambition, but also the capability to last year published The Case for develop innovative solutions to deliver 1 Investment , to develop our own our objectives for the environment, strategic vision for the rail network. our communities, and our economy. This work clearly established the rationale for an ambitious, realistic, and equitable investment programme in Wales’ rail infrastructure.

1. https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-12/ the-rail-network-in-wales-case-for-investment.pdf

6 A Railway for Wales 7 Why we need The context for rail delivery in Wales is full rail devolution complex, fragmented and under-funded.

We are struggling with the legacy of We are approaching a critical juncture a railway system that was designed in the evolution of the railways in before the advent of devolution, and , and in particular the whilst some efforts have been made opportunity to develop a network that to evolve it, the current settlement is better meets the needs of the people still a reflection of the times in which that use it. It is clear that in order to it was created. Twenty years on from meet our ambitions for a step-change devolution, the Secretary of State for in integration, efficiency, and broader Transport in retains control outcomes, we need greater control and of railway infrastructure in Wales. autonomy of the railway in Wales to manage and develop our infrastructure. This imperfect devolution settlement is the root of many of the problems The UK Government must now with our railway. It undermines enable Welsh Government to run our ability to encourage inclusive our own railway that delivers our economic growth, to deliver balanced wider objectives, to have a greater investment across regions, and to say in specifying our rail services develop a railway that meets the that meet Welsh passengers’ needs, social needs of our rural communities. and to manage and develop our The current arrangement is also an infrastructure with a fair funding impediment to developing coherent settlement that benefit the whole integrated public transport solutions. of the Wales and Borders area.

8 A Railway for Wales 9 A Programme to Meet the Needs of Future Generations

With the full and proper devolution of infrastructure and services aligned to a fair funding settlement we will be able to begin to develop a railway in Wales that meets our own needs and objectives for the economy, our responsibilities to the environment, and our obligations under the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015:

A prosperous Wales A Wales of cohesive Wales needs a rail network that allows communities people and goods to move efficiently, Wales needs a railway that supports promoting business and generating the communities it serves and an employment opportunities to boost effective foundation economy productivity and economic growth. through expanding access to rail services, allowing efficient journeys A resilient Wales between all regions of Wales. Wales needs a reliable and efficient railway that offers resilience to A Wales of vibrant culture current weather patterns and and thriving future climate changes through a Wales needs a railway that facilitates well-maintained, modern network access to leisure, tourism and that minimises whole life costs. heritage sites and actively promotes the Welsh language and culture. A healthier Wales Wales needs a railway that improves A globally responsible Wales physical and mental health by Wales needs a railway that encourages promoting active travel opportunities and helps people to use more and reducing loneliness and isolation sustainable forms of transport as through facilitating efficient and part of a wider integrated public attractive door-to-door journeys. transport system, minimises its own energy requirements, and the A more equal Wales environmental impacts of energy use. Wales needs a railway that enables efficient, practical and affordable Our first task is to address the legacy journeys that is accessible to of a historic lack of investment all regardless of their economic in improving the railways in status or whether they share a Wales through an ambitious and protected characteristic under the deliverable programme of national, Equality Act (age, disability, gender, regional, and local improvements race, religion, sexual orientation, to our railway infrastructure. marital, or maternity status).

10 A Railway for Wales 11 Strategic Railway Development Programme Figure 1 Committed Transport for Wales Improvements The award of the recent Wales We also plan to develop further and Borders franchise by Transport opportunities to improve connectivity TfW station improvements Committed TfW Stations for Wales will see many of the on the nation’s other key corridors vision – interchange stations 1 Nantgarw (May 2019) 1 2 Crwys Road Welsh Government’s ambitions for – especially the western corridor 2 Craven Arms 3 3 Carmarthen 4 Loudoun Square improved rail services and new and from Ynys Môn to , 4 Bridgend 5 Bay 5 6 Bow Street 1 improved stations and interchanges Carmarthen and Swansea Bay. 6 Abercynon 7 Hereford delivered (Figure 1, pg.13). TfW Station improvements 12 3 8 vision – Hub stations Equally important to the Welsh 9 Pontypridd 1 Cardiff Central 10 13 However, we are also aware that many Government is the role that the 11 Severn Tunnel Junction 2 Cardiff Queen Street 12 Shotton 3 Chester people in Wales are not currently well railway plays in supporting our 13 General 4 Newport 5 Shrewsbury served by rail and we could be doing rural communities, delivering vital 6 Swansea Station enhancements much more: more services to improve connectivity to employment and Shotton, Chester, Wrexham, Cardiff Central access to jobs and leisure activities, more services, while enhancing accessibility attractive journey times to encourage to our world class tourist destinations. 5 2 people away from private cars, and Our commitment to the integration 10 more stations (Figure 2, pg.14), and of the rail network with bus services 6 improved accessibility, to connect and active travel infrastructure will more people and more communities. deliver seamless “end to end” journeys for passengers. Rail freight would With the appropriate devolution and also make an increased contribution funding settlement, we would progress to our decarbonisation objectives a railway development programme and offer efficient logistics solutions based on the well-being objectives to businesses and industries. 7 and the principles of WelTAG, our own transport appraisal framework, Building on the Case for Investment to deliver an integrated transport published in 2018, an ambitious, 3

network that promotes inclusive coherent, and justifiable programme Neath and equitable growth, protects the is being developed to enhance our 8 6 6 environment, supports our communities, railways including new stations, Pontypridd 9 1 11 4 towns and cities, and promotes our upgrades of existing stations and routes, 5 3 2 2 4 culture and the Welsh language. our regional metro developments 4 1 5 and future major strategic corridor Our development of the South Wales developments (Figures 1 – 4, pgs. Metro, plans for the North-east 13-16). It will transform services, Wales Metro and the Swansea Bay accessibility and usage of the railway • New service and TfW station improvements Committed TfW Stations Liverpool via Halton Curve vision – interchange stations Metro (Figure 3, pg.15) and our across all our regions and will enable 1 Nantgarw ambitions for the upgrade of the • £738m to transform the valley lines with new 1 Llandudno Junction 2 Crwys Road our railway to fulfil its role at the core trains and faster and more frequent services 2 Craven Arms 3 Gabalfa 3 Carmarthen 4 Loudoun Square North Wales mainline and the South of an integrated transport network and • £800m to ensure that 95% of 4 Bridgend 5 Wales mainline (Figure 4, pg.16) its potential as one of our most socially journey are on new trains 5 Radyr 6 Bow Street will provide a viable alternative and economically valuable assets. • £194m major station improvement 6 Abercynon to the car for commuter trips. programme across the entire network 7 Hereford TfW Station improvements • 61% more Sunday services across the network 8 Llanelli vision – Hub stations 9 Pontypridd • 29% more weekday services across the network 10 Machynlleth 1 Cardiff Central • More services on Cambrian and Heart of Wales lines 11 Severn Tunnel Junction 2 Cardiff Queen Street 12 Shotton 3 Chester • New service between Cardiff and Liverpool 13 Wrexham General 4 Newport • Additional service between Wrexham and Bidston 5 Shrewsbury 6 Swansea • Smart ticketing and pay-as-you-go flexibility Station enhancements Shotton, Chester, Wrexham, Cardiff Central

12 A Railway for Wales 13 Figure 2 Figure 3 Potential Station Development Programme Metro Developments Figure 3 Metro developments (May 2019) Figure 2 Potential station development (May 2019) programme

4 2 10 3 1 Stations approved for Welsh Government Access for All funding and partners stations 2 in development 5 1 Shotton 1 2 Flint 1 Wrexham South 3 Tenby 2 Wrexham North 1 4 Ludlow 3 Deeside Industrial Estate 5 Abergavenny 4 Carno 6 Cwmbran 5 Landore 7 Caerphilly 6 Cockett 8 Llanelli 7 9 Barry 8 Llanwen 10 9 Newport Road / Rover Way 11 Treforest 10 Ely Mill / Victoria Park 11 Cardiff Parkway 2

Station enhancements Shotton, Chester, Wrexham,Cardiff Central 4

5

Welsh Government Principal Interchanges 1 Cardiff Central Access for All Stations 2 Newport Priority nominations not awarded 3 Swansea UK Government investment 4 Llandudno Junction 5 Wrexham General 1 Carmarthen 4 2 Chepstow WeWelshlsh GoGovevernmrnmeenntt Neath 3 Cogan Regiogionnaal IntercInterchhaangesnges 4 Neath 5 Newtown 1 PontyPontypripridddd 6 Pontyclun 2 CCaeraerphillyphilly Pontypridd 7 Pontypool and New Inn 3 BrBrididgendgend 8 Ruabon 4 CaCardrdiffiff BayBay 5 CaCardrdiffiff QQueeueenn SStretreetet 6 CaCardrdiffiff PaParkrkway 7 NeNeatathh 8 CaCarmrmarthrtheenn 9 SShrehrewsbwsburury 10 BBangangoror 11 7 8 8 5 4

Neath South West Wales Metro South East Wales Metro 7 7 8 6 • The South West Wales Metro including rail, • To appraise, develop & deliver major 5 3 6 2 3 9 bus, and active travel is currently being schemes such as Ebbw Valley and Maesteg Pontypridd 1 9 11 11 developed by the region’s local authorities service frequency enhancements 10 9 2 8 6 10 5 • Increased South Wales Mainline services (to • Potential M4 corridor measures 3 6 1 4 3 Carmarthen and / Milford Haven) • Enhanced services and new stations 7 and a potential strategic West Wales Parkway Welsh Government on the Marches Line Principal Interchanges • Assessment of the case to reopen older • Additional Metro stations lines and new stations such as Dulais, 1 Cardiff Central • Network capacity & resilience measures Stations approved for Welsh Government Amman, Neath and Swansea Valleys Access for All Stations 2 Newport • Comprehensive integration with Access for All funding and partners stations 3 Swansea Priority nominations not awarded bus services and Active Travel 1 Shotton in development UK Government investment 4 Llandudno Junction • Enhance and integrate rail and bus 2 Flint 5 Wrexham General • Other new transport solutions including 1 Wrexham South 1 Ruabon services across North Wales/Cheshire 3 Tenby reopening and delivering new lines through the 2 Wrexham North 2 Chepstow • Enhanced Borderlands line with direct and 4 Ludlow Welsh Government emerging Metro Enhancement Framework 3 Deeside Industrial Estate 3 Cogan 5 Abergavenny Regional Interchanges faster services between Wrexham and Liverpool 4 Carno 4 Pontypool and New Inn 6 Cwmbran and integration with Merseyrail services 5 Landore 5 Newtown 1 Pontypridd 7 Caerphilly 6 Cockett 6 Pontyclun 2 Caerphilly • Additional stations and potential extensions 8 Llanelli 7 St Clears 7 Neath 3 Bridgend • Upgrades of Wrexham General and Shotton stations 9 Barry 8 Llanwen 8 Carmarthen 4 Cardiff Bay 10 Cathays 9 Newport Road / Rover Way 5 Cardiff Queen Street • Further rail extension and/or 11 Treforest 10 Ely Mill / Victoria Park 6 Cardiff Parkway re-openings to be considered 11 Cardiff Parkway 7 Neath 8 Carmarthen 9 Shrewsbury Station enhancements 10 Bangor Shotton, Chester, 11 Wrexham, Cardiff Central

14 A Railway for Wales 15 Figure 4 Strategic Corridor Developments

(May 2019)

Increased capacity and resilience

Llundain Neath

Bristol Pontypridd

South Wales Mainline North - South Connectivity • More services to enable mix of express and • Enhanced connectivity from Ynys Môn to Bangor, stopping services from London and Bristol Temple , through , Aberystwyth and Meads across South Wales to to Swansea Carmarthen and South West Wales • Improved journey times: Cardiff-London 85 minutes, • This may include upgraded lines, reopened lines and Cardiff-Swansea 30 mins, Cardiff-Bristol Temple new lines– as well as integration with bus services Meads 35 mins, Carmarthen-Cardiff 75mins East - West Connectivity • TEN-T standards, including electrification, • More capacity and shorter journey from gauging and line speed improvements the through Shrewsbury North Wales Mainline & Mid- Wales to Aberystwyth • More services to enable a mix of express and Marches Line stopping services across North Wales and • A major upgrade of the existing Marches line to/from Holyhead, Bangor, Llandudno to to enable more and faster services enabling Liverpool, Manchester, Chester, Crewe, etc a mix of express and stopping services • Improved journey times: Llandudno-Crewe 60 mins, Holyhead-Chester 60 mins • TEN-T standards, including electrification, gauging and line speed improvements • Future HS2 compatible operation

16 A Railway for Wales 17