7. 6. UKIP Wales Debate: HS2 and the Railway Network in Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:30 pm on 5 October 2016.

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Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 5:30, 5 October 2016

Oh, okay. Well, I’ve got your blog post in front of me here, but it very much contradicts some of the points that your colleague, sat next to you, was making. Perhaps I’ll pass it on to David Rowlands a little later to read.

Now, where was I? Where was I? Right. Even the people who don’t use trains as well, of course, will benefit, especially in north Wales. There are benefits, of course, from job creation and apprenticeships, created at the HS2 hub at Crewe, and, of course, the better connections it will bring to north and mid Wales.

We recently had a debate in this Chamber on the opportunities and challenges of the cross-border collaboration and the necessity to improve connectivity between north Wales and the emerging powerhouse in north England. Perhaps UKIP Members weren’t present for the debate, but from my recollection there was widespread agreement in the Chamber that, through cementing north Wales as a crucial part of the existing new economic region, we have the potential of facilitating significant growth in mid Wales, and re-balancing the economy of Wales as well, importantly, I think, away from the over-reliance on Cardiff and south Wales.

Finally, of course, the other issue is: I think it’s important, of course, that the Welsh Government needs to engage effectively with the UK Government and other regional bodies as well when it comes to ensuring that services and timetabling issues are organised, to deliver the maximum benefit from HS2 to the people of north Wales. I very much hope that perhaps the Cabinet Secretary can comment on that in his contribution, but I urge Members to reject this motion today and to support our amendments.