Plaid Cymru Calls for Rail Infrastructure Devolution Rejected by Labour

Labour have rejected Plaid Cymru’s Senedd motion calling for the full devolution of rail infrastructure. Plaid Cymru has long called for the devolution of rail infrastructure to allow Wales to make decisions on investment in its own transport networks and to stop future scandals, such as HS2, to develop.

The motion tabled by Plaid Cymru called for the Welsh Government to make representations to the UK Government to devolve rail infrastructure in full to Wales, in line with powers already exercised by Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The debate came two weeks after Labour announced a supposed commitment of £14 billion for rail infrastructure in Wales, without committing any funding or setting timescales for the investment.

Eluned Morgan, who attended the launch of Transport for Wales’ ‘Today, Tomorrow, Together’ report said that the Labour Welsh Government had ‘secured long-term commitments’, despite the UK Government committing no extra funding for the announcement.

Rail infrastructure is a reserved field which means the Westminster Government is responsible for investment in England and Wales, the latter of which they have underfunded for decades.

Were rail infrastructure devolved Wales would have received a full consequential for projects such as HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, which could have been equivalent to more than £5 billion.

Plaid Cymru leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said:

“Where Scotland and Northern Ireland get consequential funding for HS2, and other multi-billion projects, Wales gets nothing. But after Labour in opposition tell the Tories to pay up, they get into government and there’s no money.

“Labour’s record on rail funding is a shambles. On their latest announcement, no money has been identified. There is no timescale. No source of funding. No promise of funding. It’s clear they didn’t even bother consulting with Transport For Wales on the correct costings.

“We’ve had the HS2 great train robbery, now we have the pre-election great rail con. It’s no better than the Tories’ pre-election ‘back of a fag packet’ pledge to electrify the north Wales line.

“Wales can’t afford to have a Government that’s given up the fight for real assurances on rail in Wales. That’s Labour’ legacy. And the people of Wales have had enough.

“Plaid Cymru is ready to get Wales back on track, and to genuinely push – without pulling punches – for the investment, the timescales, and the real plan we need.”