THE WELSH Liberal Democrats have reiterated calls for Wales to receive consequential transport funding from HS2 following news that large sections of the rail line are to be delayed.
Key sections of the line from Manchester to Crewe and Birmingham to Crewe will now be delayed to “save money”.
To date, the UK Government has refused to release the estimated £5 billion in funding for transport Wales should be entitled to under the Barnett formula because the Conservative Government claims the rail line passes through Crewe which is close to the Welsh border. This is despite the fact it did release consequential funding for Scotland.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have claimed that with the section to Crewe now delayed, the Conservatives are out of flimsy excuses to deny Wales much-needed funding for public transport.
Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds MS said: “With this delay, the Conservatives are out of flimsy excuses to deny releases of this much-needed funding for public transport in Wales.
“We face a climate crisis and a cost of living crisis and improving public transport is key to tackling both of these. It is absolutely unacceptable the Conservatives continue to deny Wales the investment it needs to face these challenges head-on.
“Public transport in Wales is creaking under the pressure of decades of underinvestment and poor transport links are putting off investment in our economy. The Conservatives must now urgently correct their atrocious record on this issue.”
