2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:36 pm on 13 December 2022.

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Photo of Sam Rowlands Sam Rowlands Conservative 2:36, 13 December 2022

I'd like to ask for a Welsh Government statement on the announcement that Vivarail Ltd have gone bust. As you know, plans to increase rail services in the north Wales border area are now on hold, after the company, Vivarail Ltd, who were supplying these trains, went into administration. You'll recall that it was back in 2018 that Transport for Wales made the deal with Vivarail for refurbished trains to serve residents on the border, and this was supposed to be delivered in mid 2019. We're now three years down the line since that promise was made, and residents that I serve in Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham still do not have that new rail service that they were promised. I'm sure you would agree, Trefnydd, that for your residents, as an MS in north Wales, it's not a good position to be in. As we know, Transport for Wales is wholly owned by the Welsh Government to deliver on the policies of this Government. I think it's time that a statement is brought to the Chamber explaining the situation and when those trains will be introduced into north Wales.