The New Rail Franchise

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 2:08 pm on 24 October 2018.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:08, 24 October 2018

Can I thank the Member for his question? And I'll also consider his request to become a mystery shopper for the franchise. [Laughter.] I'm delighted to say that Abergavenny station will be a station that will benefit from investment to make it step free to improve access for all people. It's quite a contrast that, in the last 15 years, only about £600,000 was spent on improving stations across the Wales and borders area, and, in the next 15 years, almost £200 million will be spent improving those very same stations that have been left, in many respects, undervalued by the former operator. 

Now, I think it's important also to note that, within that £200 million, around £15 million will be utilised for improving access to stations. We're going to try to make as many stations as possible step free, to improve, particularly for disabled people, the accessibility to rail services in the Wales and borders area.