6. Statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales: Metro Projects in Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:45 pm on 25 February 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 5:45, 25 February 2020

Can I thank Mick Antoniw for his questions? He makes a very powerful case for the reopening of lines in his constituency, in the region and across Wales. It can lead to regeneration and to the creation of opportunities for people to get into sustained, decent jobs.

The reverse Beeching fund, amounting to £500 million, will not deliver the sort of new infrastructure, it will not deliver the number of reopened stations that I think many people hope could be delivered through such a programme. Five hundred million pounds wouldn't deliver the whole reopening of the Carmarthen to Aber line. It would simply not deliver major projects that require significant investment. My understanding of that particular fund is that any project promoted for consideration must be promoted by a Member of Parliament and that that work must be undertaken imminently. Unfortunately, I do not believe that the report that Mick Antoniw refers to will be ready for Members of Parliament representing constituencies in the region to present to the Secretary of State for Transport, and, therefore, as a Government, once that report is concluded, once we have our hands on it, we will be making the case to UK Government for investment along that particular stretch.

I think it's absolutely right that we look at all opportunities to extend the south-east Wales metro. We have the frameworks now in place for examining each of the travel corridors that could benefit from investment, but, at the end of the day, it still comes down to requiring UK Government to invest in infrastructure.