2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:28 pm on 7 March 2023.

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Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:28, 7 March 2023

Thank you. With regard to your second question, the class 175 trains are planned to be withdrawn from use here later during this year, 2023, once enough brand-new 197 trains are available to replace them, and at the moment TfW are only operating six of the brand-new trains. So, that was planned anyway. As you say, they have taken a number of their long-distance class 175 trains out of service, just for a short period at the current time, to carry out safety inspections following some concerns, and there have been some recent incidents with those trains. There was a fire in the engine bay of a class 175 train—I think that was last week—and it was the third time that there had been such an incident in a very short period of time, and I know that Transport for Wales have apologised for this disruption caused to passengers. But I think it is the right decision. I think it's really important that those necessary safety inspections are—. You've got to consider the balance, haven't you, of safety risks?

With regard to your first question, the reason for the change in the title is because the Bill has been extended.