Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. Thank you. 

It is a fact that the Wales railway network has been historically starved of investment. Since 2011, only around 1 per cent of the rail enhancement expenditure across England and Wales has been made in the Wales route areas. The Welsh Government has led the way in strongly demanding that Wales's railways are properly funded. Earlier this week, in direct response to Welsh Government's continued and vocal representations, Network Rail has unveiled a £2 billion cash pot of public money for the historically underfunded Wales and borders routes from 2019-24. This is the first time the funding plan for the route, which covers Wales and nearby connections in England, such as Shrewsbury, has been developed under Network Rail's regionally devolved system. The funding plan represents a 28 per cent increase on the figure for the last five-year funding period, and will support the Transport for Wales investment of £5 billion over 15 years.

It is a fact that the Wales and borders route has been starved of cash for many years, despite increasing demand and passenger numbers growing by around 50 per cent over the last decade. So, I would like to acknowledge the commitment of the Cabinet Secretary for transport and infrastructure in his determined and strategic efforts to ensure that my constituents in Islwyn and throughout Wales have a railway that is truly fit for purpose in the twenty-first century. Under this Welsh Government, this will happen.

Transport for Wales will rank as a turning point in the history of Welsh devolution and in the history of railways in Wales. So, let's be frank: the railway network and infrastructure in Wales was not built with the principal aim of transporting people around. It was built during the great industrial revolution in the age of Queen Victoria in order to serve Wales's world-leading revolutionary industries of coal, steel and iron, The services and, later, passenger routes that then developed were then decimated by the Beeching cuts of the 1960s.

So, with devolution established, a Welsh Labour Government was determined to facilitate effective and sustainable travel for the future, and the creation of Transport for Wales. It is correct also to say that the potential for the communities of Islwyn to be transformed is, indeed, there for us to grasp. And as the Assembly Member for Islwyn, my inbox, postbag and messages from constituents have persistently and rightly lamented the poor performance and lack of comfort of travel under the previous franchise operator, Arriva Trains Wales. I have represented these and other issues to the Cabinet Secretary on many occasions within this Chamber. So, the criticisms from the Welsh Conservative leader in the Chamber yesterday about the first month—the first four weeks—of Transport for Wales's operations, I will treat with the cynicism that they deserve, and their sheer political expediency.  

It is correct to say that Transport for Wales has a truly transformative agenda. The 15-year contract period will see investment of nearly £5 billion, and this includes plans to spend £194 million on station improvements, including the building of five new stations, and the deep cleaning of stations. This is transformational for Wales. Although the creation of new railway stations is still not a devolved matter, I do wonder what the Cabinet Secretary's thoughts are on the Welsh Government's securing of these powers, which are instrumental in expanding the footprint of the Welsh rail network.

The Cabinet Secretary is aware, I believe, of the strong argument for a station to be once again opened at Crumlin. For communities such as Crumlin, the opening of a new station and integrated public transport services will offer true economic opportunities and enhance the heritage and tourism potential of the listed Navigation colliery, as well as combating the strategic fight against vehicle pollution. So, to quote you, Cabinet Secretary,

'Our plans go beyond a traditional transport project – they have to become the spark for wider economic renewal. They have to help individuals, businesses and communities who need a reliable, integrated transport system to help them find a new job, support their business to expand, and bring new investment to their town.'

The communities of Islwyn are already familiar with the benefits that Welsh Government investment can bring to our railways. A decade on since the reopening of the Ebbw Vale line, a report published earlier this year found that it has been highly successful in increasing access to the jobs market and reducing greenhouse gases. The reopening of this line was a true boost, not only to the economy of Ebbw Vale, but also to areas such as Newbridge, Crosskeys, Risca and Pontymister in my constituency. The reopening of this line has provided much better connectivity with Cardiff, whether for work or leisure, to many of my constituents. Though this is, of course, something I welcome, the Cabinet Secretary will also be well aware that, since my election, I have strongly campaigned for improved rail links from Islwyn into Newport.  

Of the many excellent proposals contained within this new franchise, the announcement of an hourly service between Ebbw Vale and Newport I hugely welcome. I know that this news will be very welcome also to the great number of my constituents who commute into Newport regularly. This will, I know, prove a significant boost to the economy in Gwent, whether they are commuting for work or pleasure. I know that this is something a number of my colleagues have also campaigned on and will also welcome, as I'm sure will the South Wales Argus, which has since 2002 campaigned also for the line to be reopened to Newport.

I'm also delighted to hear that over 50 per cent of the much needed new rolling sock will be produced here in Wales in Newport. This £800 million investment will dramatically improve the quality of our trains and will also improve resilience during adverse weather conditions, as we've experienced this autumn. The announcement of 300 jobs at this site will be very welcome, along with 600 new jobs at Transport for Wales, as well as 450 apprenticeships. So, I would like to therefore ask what the Cabinet Secretary is doing to ensure that these opportunities are available to individuals across Wales, including in areas such as Islwyn. Thank you.