MPs to quiz minister on future of Welsh rail network

MPs on the Welsh Affairs Committee will question Rail Minister Lord Hendy this week on the UK Government’s plans to improve rail infrastructure in Wales.

The evidence session, scheduled for Wednesday 5 March at 14.30 in Committee Room 15 at the Palace of Westminster, will examine UK Government priorities for the rail network and the funding available for enhancements.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander recently acknowledged that Welsh rail infrastructure has received less enhancement funding compared to other UK regions.

However, the Secretary of State for Wales recently told the Committee that rail is her “number one priority” in the upcoming Government Spending Review.

The UK Government has previously identified the North and South Wales mainlines and the Wrexham to Liverpool line as priority projects.

However, MPs are expected to press Lord Hendy on whether these will proceed as planned and request further details on timelines and funding.

Committee members are also likely to ask about new stations along the South Wales Main Line, particularly in light of planning delays for Cardiff Parkway.

The classification of HS2 as a Wales-England project is another key point of contention.

First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan has called the classification “scandalous,” and MPs are expected to ask Lord Hendy why it has not been reclassified as an England-only project, which would entitle Wales to a share of the funding.

Other anticipated topics include the sufficiency of Network Rail’s maintenance budget for Wales’ ageing railway infrastructure and the increasing impact of severe weather on the network.

Giving evidence alongside Lord Hendy will be Farha Sheikh, Interim Director for Rail Infrastructure North and West at the Department for Transport, and Nick Millington, Route Director for Wales at Network Rail.

The session will be streamed live on Parliamentlive.tv.