5. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport: Ambitions for Great Western and North Wales Main Lines

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:53 pm on 8 May 2018.

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Photo of Mark Isherwood Mark Isherwood Conservative 4:53, 8 May 2018

Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. You referred to the 1 per cent expenditure. The Office of Rail and Road annual report on UK rail industry financial information, published last year, found that Wales actually receives 9.6 per cent of net UK Government funding for franchised train operations and Network Rail, and 6.4 per cent of total net UK Government funding for Network Rail routes, as submitted in evidence to the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee after we highlighted similar concerns.

I endorse your statement fully that if the UK Government makes the right choices on the Crewe hub, et cetera, then HS2 will have a significant economic benefit for north Wales. But, my question—I only have one—given your reference in your statement to working with Growth Track 360, which of course I also fully support, you've made no reference to the north Wales growth board, established to finalise the growth deal and manage its delivery once it's agreed with the two Governments. So, what work, in the context of transport connectivity with the rail network, are you undertaking directly with the growth board?