Thank you, Presiding Officer, and can I thank Members for their contributions today and welcome the opportunity to debate this very important issue? I do believe that we have before us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to develop a world-class transport infrastructure in Wales. Together with metro south and metro north-east, the new Wales and borders franchise, upgrades to the A55, the M4 relief road, the reshaping of our bus network and the platform that our Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 gives us in achieving modal shift, I believe that we have a fantastic opportunity to create an international quality integrated transport system across Wales.

That integration is essential. It’s essential because a high-quality transport system is critical in providing access to jobs and services. It is, in turn, central to a high-performing economy, and our railway network has a pivotal role to play in that. Efficient long-distance travel links and the development of HS2, I believe, will bring significant benefits to mid and north Wales as part of an integrated rail network across the UK. And this position is shared entirely by the ‘Growth Track 360’ participants, including further education, local authorities, councils from England and, of course, the private sector.

I want to make sure that it is properly integrated, though, into the economy of north Wales. The huge potential of the region could be unlocked if the UK Government were to bring forward funding to electrify the north Wales coast main line from Holyhead and Llandudno to Warrington and Crewe, and develop a fully integrated hub at Crewe. Ultimately, this could enable trains travelling to and from north Wales to use a new high-speed infrastructure. The Welsh Government is very happy to work with the UK Government to ensure that the benefits of HS2 are maximised, but we are disappointed that the UK Government has so far not agreed to devolve funding for rail infrastructure and powers to direct Network Rail, as was recommended by the Commission on Devolution in Wales. I’ll continue to press the UK Government to begin negotiations around the full devolution settlement recommended by the commission.

While funding for rail infrastructure is not devolved, we have used our powers to invest in rail enhancements, including in the Cambrian line and between Saltney and Wrexham. The Welsh Government worked with the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, the Mersey Dee Alliance, and the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership to develop the strategic outline business case for the electrification of the north Wales main line. It is essential for the UK Government to ensure that Wales receives its fair share of the funding available for enhancing the rail network so that our rail infrastructure here in Wales does not fall further behind that enjoyed in the rest of Great Britain.

The recent track record, though, is not positive. Data published by the Office of Rail and Road illustrate that, between 2011 and 2015, only around 1 per cent of the UK Government’s investment in rail infrastructure enhancements was spent within the Wales route area. I’m pressing for the UK Government to give a commitment that it will spend its fair share of investment on rail enhancements in Wales during the next funding period.

The settlement needs to recognise the historic underinvestment we have seen in Wales, and the fact that Network Rail Wales’s route extends into England. Now, I don’t wish to jump the gun, but I am now pressing the UK Government for confirmation that the scheme will be delivered immediately after electrification to Cardiff is completed in 2018. This, of course, is the scheme to extend to Swansea. It’s essential for the UK Government to confirm that Wales will not lose out following the UK’s exit from the European Union. Of key significance of funding for the delivery of the south Wales metro and electrification to Milford Haven and Holyhead, as is required by 2030, under the regulations covering the trans-European transport network, UK Government funding must be made available to deliver against these requirements. Wales needs it, and our economy needs it.