Now, as we look beyond Brexit, Wales's connectivity with Britain's economic hubs and international gateways becomes even more important. We in Wales cannot afford to be sidelined and must develop a positive and compelling case for major transport investment that addresses both our economic ambitions and our broader well-being objectives. We rely on the UK Government to provide funding for enhancements to rail networks in Wales, but we cannot stand in the margins complaining; we need to set out our expectations for the network and be clear about the anticipated social and economic benefits.

As a starting point, we will set out some overarching needs, which include: improving connectivity and reducing journey time between cities in Wales; expanding the city region areas across Wales; growing cross-border economies; enhancing connectivity from Wales to London; improving access to airports; maximising the potential benefits and offset negative consequences of HS2; providing compelling journey choices to users of the congested M4 at Swansea; and meeting trans-European network standards. These requirements have many inter-dependencies. The solutions will include multiple complementary projects. A strategic outline programme case is a way to pull these strands together, ensuring that the economic, geographical and social context within the potential schemes are developed and are consistent and universally understood. I have asked Professor Mark Barry to lead on this, working with my department and Transport for Wales.

Since HS2's impact is different across Wales, Professor Barry will be producing one case for north Wales and another for south Wales, and we will not be neglecting the Cambrian line through mid Wales, which also provides important connectivity within Wales and across the border. This work will inform the individual scheme strategic outline business cases currently being developed by Transport Wales and the Department for Transport, and the purpose of these programme business cases is to establish the need for investment and to articulate high-level outcomes. They will establish an overall vision for the future of the north and south Wales networks that meets the Welsh Government's and, indeed, other key stakeholders' aspirations. They'll also identify and consider options for investment that complement the ongoing work to design and deliver metro systems in north and south Wales.

From this, those options that merit more detailed investigation will be identified and developed through a detailed business case process where we rely on the UK Government to take decisions in the interests of travellers in Wales in order to complement the investment that the Welsh Government is making in improving its own transport infrastructure. At this early stage, no options have been ruled in or ruled out. To determine the most appropriate interventions requires a strategic approach and a long-term plan and one that builds upon Network Rail's route studies, local authorities' and city regions' plans and ambitions, and which also complements the enhancement plans of the Department for Transport and wider UK Government.

We are committed to work with agencies on both sides of the border to deliver an integrated transport system. This means links with our major city regions, between them, and across the border to England, building on my recent meetings with the metro mayors of Manchester and Liverpool, our memorandum of understanding with Transport for the North, our work with Growth Track 360, Merseytravel, Midlands Connect and the West of England Combined Authority. This work is being undertaken using our own WelTAG guidance and will meet UK Government requirements. I want to see an ambitious programme of improvements that deliver a step change for passengers and that, regardless of final deal reached in respect of Britain's exit from the European Union, result in the main lines in north and south Wales developed as trans-European corridors by meeting standards currently applying to them under regulations.

It is my intention, Deputy Presiding Officer, to subject some of the emerging proposals and choices to a public consultation in the second half of this year. We are determined that, in the future, schemes coming forward will be robust, deliverable and based on a sound strategic imperative and economic analysis. I want to see enhancements to the rail network that deliver on the broader objectives I described earlier and, in doing so, provide a firm foundation for the Welsh economy and its future development.