UK: The House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee has opened an inquiry into railway infrastructure in Wales, inviting written evidence by February 26 regarding:
- where does responsibility lie for rail infrastructure in Wales?
- how effectively do the UK and Welsh governments co-operate with one another in the management and funding of rail infrastructure in Wales?
- should responsibility for railway infrastructure in Wales be fully devolved?
- what share of investment has Wales secured in its rail infrastructure since privatisation came into effect in 1994, and how sufficient is that level of investment?
- how is funding allocated to rail infrastructure projects across the UK and how are the different infrastructure needs of the regions and nations of the UK assessed?
- what will be the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic for the railway network in Wales, including the sustainability of services and potential impact on investment in infrastructure?
- what opportunities are there for Wales as a result of the recently launched Union Connectivity Review?
‘While daily travel patterns may change permanently as a result of the pandemic, the need to upgrade Welsh rail infrastructure will remain a priority both in terms of levelling up and working towards a Net Zero economy’, said Committee Chair Stephen Crabb on December 4.
