Part of 1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure – in the Senedd at 1:30 pm on 9 November 2016.
I’d like to thank the Cabinet Secretary for that, and note, with thanks, the statement that was made this morning on rolling stock. Within the statement, the Cabinet Secretary said that, on core Valleys lines, passenger operations—which includes from my constituency—making use of diesel-only traction will be phased out, and conventional electrification, stored-energy systems, and hybrid systems would be considered. I have met with Arriva Trains Wales, and they said that, in the short term, though, that’s not going to be possible—there is a shortage of rolling stock and a shortage of carriages, so people are standing up. Now, given the damning report that listed failures of the UK Government’s electrification of the line, that isn’t allowing diesel rolling stock to be transferred temporarily to Valleys lines. I’d like to know whether the Cabinet Secretary has a plan for that, and could he also elaborate perhaps on whether the Wales and borders franchise will include new rolling stock as part of the franchise?