AFTER Network Rail confirmed that rail electrification in the south of England is running four years late, Plaid Cymru’s Treasury spokesperson has called for urgent clarification concerning the implied further delays to electrification of the south Wales line.
In December 2015, the Labour Economy Minister said that the electrification of the Great Western Main Line between London and Cardiff will now be completed between 2019 and 2024, however reports say that the electrification of the line to Bristol is now expected in 2020, suggesting even greater delays to Wales’ electrification project.
Plaid Cymru Treasury spokesperson, Jonathan Edwards MP said that problems elsewhere must not lead to further delays in Wales. Delays to the project have already set the project to the south Wales mainline back by two years.
Further slippage would be ‘unacceptable,’ Mr Edwards added, claiming that it would prove that Wales is not on the UK government’s agenda, whilst the Labour government in Wales has proven itself incapable of fighting for Wales.
Mr Edwards said: “These reports raise serious concerns that the project in Wales is going to be put back even further. The electrification of the south Wales mainline was originally to happen next year, and it’s already been pushed back to 2019. Both the Conservative UK government and the Labour government in Wales need to tell us what’s going on – is Wales going to miss out even further?
“The electrification of the rail line is a necessary upgrade that will be important to the economy. It should be a priority, but it’s clearly an afterthought for the Tories in London whilst the Labour Government in Wales has failed to keep Wales on top of the agenda. This is a double let down.
“The people of Wales who voted for the Conservative government on the basis of this manifesto commitment will be questioning whether it’s going to keep its promise at all.
“What Wales needs is a government that will fight for its economic interests and will not let the UK Government to renege on its promises to the people of Wales. A Plaid Cymru government will also place a great emphasis in investing in infrastructure, upgrading transport, physical and digital infrastructure to keep Wales connected. Plaid Cymru is the change Wales needs.”
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