Research and Reports

Priorities for the future of Welsh Rail Infrastructure

Passenger journeys in Wales climbed from under 20 million in 2003/2004 to around 30m in 2014/2015 and growth is expected to continue. Yet Wales does not yet have any electrified railway. Recommendations from this report include seeking an assurance that electrification into South Wales will continue - and without a break in its delivery - and that a push should be made to electrify both the Vale of Glamorgan line and in North Wales. Gauge enhancements to W12 gauge for the largest containers in both North and South Wales is called for, as is a rebuild of Cardiff Central station. In terms of decision-making, the report argues for greater responsibility for the Welsh government, and says there is a “a strong case” for devolving the funding of NR funding, as is already the case in Scotland.