We will look into what further devolution can be provided, and I will elaborate on HS2 in due course. With each success that the Welsh Labour Government deliver, they ensure there is a better and stronger railway, but the reality is that their hands are tied on infrastructure. Passengers are paying the price for years of underfunding of key projects.
Despite the fact that the Wales route covers 11% of the UK network, as my hon. Friends the Members for Swansea West and for Newport East mentioned, between 2011 and 2016 it received 1.6% of the enhancement
budget for that period. That persistent and historical lack of proportional funding has come at a cost. The people of Wales are tired of hearing the same excuses, as we have heard today. On HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, colleagues have made it clear where they and their constituents stand. With the Government’s current position on Barnett consequentials, they must ensure better connectivity to HS2, and the timely and on-budget delivery of the project.
The Minister must deliver more tangible benefits for Wales. I would be grateful if he outlined exactly how he will make this possible by improving cross-border connectivity, particularly to HS2 stations. Sadly, this comes on top of industry stakeholders and passengers being left in the lurch with other future rail infrastructure projects. With the rail network enhancement pipeline consistently delayed, perhaps the Department could shed light on that, considering that the projects within it could give much-needed clarity and benefits to Wales.
In this Parliament, the Government have promised the publication of RNEP more than 40 times, saying they will deliver it “as soon as possible”, “very shortly”, “in due course”, “in the near future”, “in the coming months”, and after spending reviews that come and go. It is like an episode of “Yes, Minister”. Three and a half years since the last annual update of RNEP, we are still waiting. Considering the importance of that work for the future of Welsh railway infrastructure, will the Minister finally give a definitive publication date?
Unfortunately, the theme of the Department for Transport under the leadership of this Tory Government seems to be dither, delay and disappointment: no RNEP, no details on Great British Railways, and now there are concerns about further funding cuts to Network Rail. Is that the Government’s vision for the future of our railways? In Wales, that lack of clarity means projects are left in limbo. It is unclear how Wales will fit into the new system of running our railways, and vital funding for safety and maintenance has been called into question.
There has been some good work—my hon. Friend the Member for Neath noted that some level boarding enhancements have been implemented to improve disabled accessibility—but much more needs to be done. Rail lines in south Wales and between Holyhead and Crewe need enhancements and electrification. A future Labour Government will deliver an annual rolling programme of electrification of our railway lines to benefit the good people of Wales, not just people in other parts of the country.
Will the Minister provide some reassurance on that and outline how his Government’s plans will impact Welsh rail infrastructure and services? Further uncertainty will simply not cut it. The Government must not continue to sideline Welsh railway infrastructure and provide chronic underfunding for people in Wales. The Welsh Government’s work to ensure people have a real choice in how they travel is vital, but their bold vision needs the support of the UK Government. A future Labour Government will provide that support to deliver a greener, fairer, brighter future for everyone.
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