Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
1
Conclusion
First Report - Railway Infrastructure i…
Accepted
There is a strong environmental and economic case for substantially enhancing the rail infrastructure that serves Wales, and the passenger experience of slow services and inadequate stations only underlines the need for an upgraded network. The South East Wales Transport Commission, chaired by Lord Burns, demonstrated the relationship between enhanced …
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There is a strong environmental and economic case for substantially enhancing the rail infrastructure that serves Wales, and the passenger experience of slow services and inadequate stations only underlines the need for an upgraded network. The South East Wales Transport Commission, chaired by Lord Burns, demonstrated the relationship between enhanced rail infrastructure, integrated public transport, decarbonisation and, ultimately, improved quality of life. Lord Burns’ commission made a convincing case for significant investment in the key route from Cardiff to Bristol as a means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and driving a shift from car use to public transport. It is welcome that as a first step the UK Government is acting on Lord Burns’ findings by preparing a case to increase speeds on the relief lines that run through the Severn Tunnel.
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government notes the committee's conclusion and details ongoing work, including Network Rail's development of an Outline Business Case for increasing speeds on the South Wales Relief Lines, which aligns with Lord Burns' findings and is expected for approval this year.
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Wales Office
3
Recommendation
First Report - Railway Infrastructure i…
Accepted
A number of potential infrastructure upgrades suggested by witnesses to our inquiry are cross-border in nature, reflecting the relatively short distance between key urban areas such as Cardiff and Bristol in South Wales and Wrexham and Merseyside in the North East. The cross-border rail connections between England and Wales, and …
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A number of potential infrastructure upgrades suggested by witnesses to our inquiry are cross-border in nature, reflecting the relatively short distance between key urban areas such as Cardiff and Bristol in South Wales and Wrexham and Merseyside in the North East. The cross-border rail connections between England and Wales, and the level of socio-economic integration between border communities in Wales and England, is unique within the UK and enhancing these connections should be central to the Union Connectivity Review.
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Government response AI summary
The government notes the recommendation and confirms that the independent Union Connectivity Review is ongoing, highlighting key concerns relating to Wales and establishing a £20m Union Connectivity Development Fund for promising schemes, with engagement continuing with the Welsh Government.
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Wales Office
11
Conclusion
First Report - Railway Infrastructure i…
Accepted
If clear benefits for both passengers and freight users could be delivered by devolving rail infrastructure to the Welsh Government then the case for further devolution would be compelling. However, few benefits to rail users have been identified and the benefits of the existing management arrangements are considerable. The liabilities …
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If clear benefits for both passengers and freight users could be delivered by devolving rail infrastructure to the Welsh Government then the case for further devolution would be compelling. However, few benefits to rail users have been identified and the benefits of the existing management arrangements are considerable. The liabilities associated with rail infrastructure are significant. The economies of scale available via the existing management structure are of benefit to Wales and help to limit the resource that might otherwise have to be committed to maintenance of the network rather than its enhancement.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees in part with the Committee's conclusion regarding the benefits of existing management structures. It commits to establishing a new senior-level Board with Welsh Government, DfT, TfW, and Network Rail representation to develop a shared vision for rail infrastructure, and a Programme Delivery …
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Wales Office
12
Recommendation
First Report - Railway Infrastructure i…
Accepted
However, even if one puts aside the question of affordability and liabilities, there is the issue of how closely connected and densely populated the border between Wales and England is. The mainline connecting north and south Wales runs through England and cross border routes are vital for commuters and intercity …
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However, even if one puts aside the question of affordability and liabilities, there is the issue of how closely connected and densely populated the border between Wales and England is. The mainline connecting north and south Wales runs through England and cross border routes are vital for commuters and intercity 36 Railway Infrastructure in Wales travellers alike. Wales’s geography means its rail network depends on infrastructure in England and, wherever responsibility for management resides, the successful delivery of projects would still rely on strong, interdependent relationships between multiple organisations based on both sides of the border. Of most importance is that all parties, including the Department for Transport, Welsh Government, Transport for Wales and Network Rail, come together, under the auspices of the Wales Rail Board we have recommended earlier in this report, and develop a shared vision and project pipeline for rail in Wales.
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Government response AI summary
The UK Government agrees in part with the recommendation and proposes to establish a new senior-level Board, comprising DfT, Welsh Government, TfW, and Network Rail, to develop a shared vision and prioritised project pipeline for rail infrastructure in Wales, with terms of reference under discussion.
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Wales Office
13
Recommendation
First Report - Railway Infrastructure i…
Accepted
The Williams-Shapps review said that the UK Government wishes to establish a new working agreement between Great British Railways (GBR) and Transport for Wales. We believe that the Wales Rail Board we have recommended would be the correct setting in which to negotiate new arrangements which should support the enhancement …
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The Williams-Shapps review said that the UK Government wishes to establish a new working agreement between Great British Railways (GBR) and Transport for Wales. We believe that the Wales Rail Board we have recommended would be the correct setting in which to negotiate new arrangements which should support the enhancement of rail infrastructure as part of a joined-up approach to public transport across all of Wales. (Paragraph 79) Funding
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Government response AI summary
The government recognizes the benefits and proposes to establish a senior-level Board with director-level representation from key bodies, with Terms of Reference under discussion for an initial meeting this calendar year, including aspects relevant to GBR and TfW arrangements.
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Wales Office
14
Recommendation
First Report - Railway Infrastructure i…
Accepted
We welcome the changes announced in the 2021 Spending Review which will reform the process by which the Treasury evaluates infrastructure projects. It is imperative that the Treasury’s approach to evaluating rail infrastructure proposals takes account of a broader range of factors, such as regional economic inequalities and environmental benefits, …
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We welcome the changes announced in the 2021 Spending Review which will reform the process by which the Treasury evaluates infrastructure projects. It is imperative that the Treasury’s approach to evaluating rail infrastructure proposals takes account of a broader range of factors, such as regional economic inequalities and environmental benefits, than just benefit cost ratios. In light of the forthcoming publication of the Union Connectivity Review, we recommend that the evaluation process for rail infrastructure proposals in Wales factors in the UK Government’s strategic ambitions to strengthen connections between all parts of the UK.
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Government response AI summary
The DfT states it continues to ensure HMT's review principles are integrated, having published revised Transport Business Case guidance that accounts for strategic priorities like levelling up, decarbonisation, distributional analysis, and place-based impacts for transport.
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Wales Office
17
Recommendation
First Report - Railway Infrastructure i…
Accepted
Efforts should be made to develop synergies between climate mitigation efforts, such as protecting against rising sea-levels, and measures to protect transport infrastructure. Noting that significant Welsh transport infrastructure lies either adjacent to the coast or runs along valley lines (often alongside rivers), we believe there are significant opportunities to …
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Efforts should be made to develop synergies between climate mitigation efforts, such as protecting against rising sea-levels, and measures to protect transport infrastructure. Noting that significant Welsh transport infrastructure lies either adjacent to the coast or runs along valley lines (often alongside rivers), we believe there are significant opportunities to link efforts and budgets to protect transport infrastructure to wider community protection.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the recommendation to develop synergies between climate mitigation and transport infrastructure protection. Network Rail is engaging on Shoreline Management Plans, has commenced a Whole Industry Strategic Plan workstream on Resilience and Climate Change, and has undertaken specific works to enhance infrastructure …
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Wales Office
18
Conclusion
First Report - Railway Infrastructure i…
Accepted
COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented challenge to the rail network and rail operators across the UK. Significant investment has been required from governments to keep services operational at a time when many workers have had to work from home as a consequence of the pandemic. The medium to longer term …
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COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented challenge to the rail network and rail operators across the UK. Significant investment has been required from governments to keep services operational at a time when many workers have had to work from home as a consequence of the pandemic. The medium to longer term implications of the pandemic for work habits, namely whether it will result in a permanent shift towards working from home, at least on a more frequent basis, are hard to predict at this stage. However, what has not altered as a result of the pandemic is the long- term need to decarbonise, improve air quality and reduce congestion by moving passengers away from cars and towards public transport on key routes such as the corridor between Newport and Cardiff.
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Government response AI summary
DfT has implemented a new business planning process for TOCs and established a Rail Revenue Recovery Group to analyse demand and develop initiatives to stimulate industry and revenue recovery post-COVID. This includes encouraging passengers to return to rail and introducing initiatives like flexible season tickets.
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Wales Office