<p>Improving Rail Services</p>

Part of 1. 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure – in the Senedd at 2:00 pm on 7 December 2016.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:00, 7 December 2016

I would hope the Member would recognise that the historic underfunding of the rail network in Wales, as I outlined to Adam Price, has certainly not helped matters, especially at this time of year. Indeed, this is not a new occurrence; historically, we have fared worse during winter months because the investment has not been forthcoming where it should be. In terms of what we as a Government—we are not yet in control of the franchise; that will come with the new franchise—are able to do right now, there is very limited diesel rolling stock. I’m afraid I didn’t quite catch the details of where the Member believes there may be existing diesel-powered stock that could be utilised, but certainly if he could provide information to me I’ll consider it. There is very limited diesel rolling stock currently available, but we are, as I mentioned earlier, in dialogue with the rail industry to try to identify solutions that could deliver additional capacity in the short term whilst we move towards the new franchise. Capacity on some Valleys lines, as I’ve said, including the Ebbw Vale line, has, no doubt about it, in recent weeks been adversely affected by leaf fall, which is unacceptable.