Rail Infrastructure in North Wales

Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales – in the Senedd at 2:08 pm on 11 November 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:08, 11 November 2020

Can I thank Llyr Huws Gruffydd for his question? Obviously, the UK Government remains in control of rail infrastructure and is responsible for investment in it here in Wales. We, obviously, would wish that we had control, but, for the time being, it's the UK Government.

We have submitted a bid to the UK Government's new ideas fund for studies into the reopening of the Gaerwen to Amlwch line, alongside complementary active travel measures. We're also progressing, through Transport for Wales, the rail innovation study, phase 1 of which is expected early next year. That study is aimed at developing potential new rail route capabilities, which would lower costs and improve operations, and that's going to cover both localised and national level service offerings.

Geographically, the study is considering—and I know the Member will be interested in multiple projects here—local connectivity between Ynys Môn, the north Wales coast and the Cambrian coast, including the key settlements of Amlwch, Bangor, Caernarfon, Porthmadog, Dolgellau, Aberystwyth, Pwllheli, Barmouth and Blaenau Ffestiniog, including, of course, the Conwy valley line. The study is also looking at connectivity between Aberystwyth, Swansea bay and Carmarthen, and also north-south connectivity between Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor and Caernarfon.

Now, the report on that study will be published once completed, and we will consider it, but it is a hugely important study that will enable us to inform UK Government future spend as it seeks to level up the UK, and, obviously, therefore, increase its infrastructure spend within Wales.