Written questions by Chadwick.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of the development of a metro-style train service between (a) Cardiff, (b) Newport, (c) Bristol and (d) Bath.

There are no plans to change the existing train service between Cardiff and Bath which is operated by Great Western Railway (GWR). My officials are however in active discussions with Transport for Wales about the potential introduction of a new train service between West Wales and Bristol, which could also serve new stations along the South Wales corridor. The Department for Transport would need to be satisfied that any new service would be operationally robust and affordable for taxpayers.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of constructing a direct rail link to Cardiff Airport.

The Wales Rail Board is responsible for assessing and recommending rail investments to support new and improved services in Wales. The approach of the Board is to promote improvements to services on the Vale of Glamorgan line, including to Rhoose, where there is an effective integrated bus link to Cardiff Airport.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of building a second Severn Tunnel or bridge specifically for rail services.

The strategic planning functions within Network Rail and Transport for Wales are considering the future capacity requirements of the South Wales Mainline. Their advice will be provided to the Wales Rail Board to inform the prioritisation of the government’s investment in Welsh rail services. Initial findings indicate that predicted future growth of services can be met through incremental upgrade of existing infrastructure.

Whether the Government plans to extend East-West Rail to (a) Cardiff, (b) Bristol and (c) Norwich.

East West Rail (EWR) is a new railway that will connect Oxford-Cambridge and cities and towns in between. The proposed service pattern on the line was set out in the EWR consultation in November 2024. There are key interchanges with major rail lines along the route and connections with long distance services will be subject to future decision.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of reconnecting Brecon to the rail network.

The Wales Rail Board is responsible for assessing and recommending rail investments to support new and improved services in Wales. No credible scheme to restore a direct rail connection to Brecon has been identified to date. The UK and Welsh Governments are collaborating on their respective bus reform agendas. In Wales, this supports Transport for Wales’ vision for a fully integrated transport network providing improved connectivity to places not served by the existing rail network. For Brecon specifically, a new bus timetable and fare structure has recently been launched, offering greater flexibility and value for passengers.

When she will announce the locations of the five new railway stations to be built in south east Wales.

Based on the work of the South East Wales Transport Commission and subsequent development activity, new stations are proposed at Newport Road (Cardiff), Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern, and Magor & Undy. The funding announced in the Spending Review will support the further development of options and confirm the exact locations for the stations. The programme for this will be confirmed in due course by the two governments, supported by our industry partners.

Whether she has plans for the electrification of the north Wales mainline.

Together with industry partners, we have identified a number of improvements on the North Wales Main Line which will deliver more immediate passenger benefits, including increasing the frequency of services in 2026, which will serve to strengthen the business case for future electrification. Following the Spending Review, we are funding these improvement works as part of the wider £445 million investment to enhance rail infrastructure across Wales — unlocking economic potential, improving connectivity, and supporting communities.

What is the total allocated budget for all five of the new railway stations to be built in south east Wales.

The government’s recent Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy has recognised Wales’ long-term infrastructure needs and will deliver at least £445 million of rail enhancements to realise them. The exact proportion of funding required to support individual enhancement schemes will be confirmed through further development activity currently underway by industry partners.

With reference to the Spring Statement and the Spending Review 2025, what is the expected completion date of each of the five new railways stations to be built in south east Wales.

Based on the work of the South East Wales Transport Commission and subsequent development activity, new stations are proposed at Newport Road (Cardiff), Newport West, Somerton, Llanwern, and Magor & Undy. The funding announced in the Spending Review will support the further development of options for these stations, allowing the programme and expected completion date of each station to be confirmed in due course by the two governments, supported by our industry partners.

What steps she is taking with Great British Railways to help ensure the operation of train services stopping at (a) Wrexham, (b) Shrewsbury and (c) London.

This Government’s bold vision for the railways will see a unified and simplified rail system that relentlessly focuses on improved services for passengers and better value for taxpayers, ending years of fragmentation and waste. Great British Railways (GBR) will be the directing mind for the network to provide the best balance between local, regional and national services to deliver a better performing railway for passengers, freight and taxpayers. GBR will have the ability to plan its future service patterns in accordance with market demand, revenue forecasting, and stakeholder expectations, including train services between Wrexham, Shrewsbury and London.

What steps she is taking to help (a) tackle infrastructure congestion and (b) improve (i) timetable capacity and (ii) passenger numbers to support open access plans for the Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway.

The delivery of HS2 will almost double long-distance rail capacity between London and the West Midlands, significantly improving the heavily congested southern section of the West Coast Main Line and releasing capacity for other services on the route. We are also investing to increase power supply on the southern end of the West Coast Main Line to enable the introduction of new electric services and support future growth and performance improvements on the route.Further, my Department remains committed to a role for Open Access where it provides genuine benefits to passengers without disproportionately impacting taxpayers, which is why we provided support for Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway’s application. However, we must equally ensure that Open Access does not have detrimental impacts upon the performance of the network. It is the role of the regulator to take access decisions informed by assessments of capacity.

What is the total allocated budget for each of the five new railway stations to be built in south east Wales.

The government’s recent Spending Review and Infrastructure Strategy has recognised Wales’ long-term infrastructure needs and will deliver at least £445 million of rail enhancements to realise them. The exact proportion of funding required to support individual enhancement schemes will be confirmed through further development activity currently underway by industry partners.

On what date the decision was taken to re-classify East-West Rail as an England and Wales project.

As rail infrastructure projects have not been devolved to Wales the categorisation of these projects is in line with wider devolution policy managed by Treasury. Every Government funded rail project in Wales or England are always categorised as England and Wales investment projects. The categorising of East West Rail as an England and Wales project does not mean that Wales is disadvantaged in any way.

What assessment he has made of the trends in the level of skilled workers to complete rail electrification of the (a) North and (B) South Wales main lines.

Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager for Great Britain’s railways, is responsible for considering the skills and workforce requirements for infrastructure projects such as electrification schemes. It is assisted in this by the National Skills Academy for Rail, which supports the rail industry in acquiring, maintaining and developing the workforce it needs.

Whether her Department has taken steps to implement two services an hour on the Shrewsbury-Wrexham-Chester Line.

Services on this route are provided by Transport for Wales in accordance with its Train Service Requirement which is agreed with the Department in respective of services at stations in England. There are no active proposals to increase services on this route.

Whether her Department plans to electrify the North Wales main line.

Together with industry partners, we have identified a number of improvements on the North Wales Main Line which will deliver more immediate passenger benefits, including increasing the frequency of services in 2026, which will serve to strengthen the business case for future electrification. Following the Spending Review, we are funding these improvement works as part of the wider £445 million investment to enhance rail infrastructure across Wales — unlocking economic potential, improving connectivity, and supporting communities.

What steps she is taking to improve the (a) frequency and (b) capacity of passenger rail services on the (i) Heart of Wales Line and (ii) Cambrian Line.

Services on these routes are provided by Transport for Wales (TfW). Capacity on the Cambrian Line will improve with the introduction of new trains in the next couple of years and TfW is preparing to introduce a fifth through service per day on the Heart of Wales line from December 2025.

When the decision was made to reclassify the Oxford-Cambridge line from an England-only project to an England and Wales project.

As rail infrastructure projects have not been devolved to Wales the categorisation of these projects is in line with wider devolution policy managed by Treasury. Every Government funded rail project in Wales or England are always categorised as England and Wales investment projects. The categorising of East West Rail as an England and Wales project does not mean that Wales is disadvantaged in any way.

What recent estimate she has made of the total cost of the electrification of the North Wales mainline.

The government has not made any recent estimate of the cost of electrification of the North Wales Mainline. It is more than ten years since Network Rail were last asked to consider the electrification of this line. That work would need to be fully refreshed, taking account of current electrification technologies.

What recent estimate she has made of the total cost of the electrification of the remainder of the South Wales mainline.

No recent cost estimates have been made by Network Rail for electrification of the South Wales Mainline, with the last available information dating from 2017. With bi-mode trains offering comparable journey times regardless of whether operating in diesel or electric mode, it is expected that any business case for electrification of this route would be very weak.