6. 5. Statement: Rail Services and Metro Procurement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:21 pm on 18 July 2017.

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Photo of Hefin David Hefin David Labour 4:21, 18 July 2017

Thank you, Chair. I’m sure the whole Chamber would want to recognise what has happened in Cardiff with the collapse of the building in Splott and the closure of the Cardiff to Newport line, and to wish the emergency services and the injured person all the very best.

The Cabinet Secretary will recognise that the economy committee, in their inquiry, asked—. The Welsh Government asked the UK Government in 2011 for extra diesel rolling stock and they told them in no uncertain terms that they couldn’t have it because of the electrification of the lines, which has led us partly to this problem today. So, the Welsh Government did take timely action.

But, I would like to pursue two questions that Russell George raised and ask for a little bit more detail. The extra carriages are five times four, which is being advertised as 20 extra trains. How can they split, and can they be split in a way that will maximise efficiency? Or do they have to be used in blocks of four? The Rhymney to Cardiff line is desperate for extra trains at peak times, and just two of those trains, for example, would be helpful on those lines, but some further information about how they can split would be very helpful. In his statement he said that the new stock will enable the development of existing carriages for persons of reduced mobility. Can he give us more information on how precisely that will be enabled?