Oral Answers to Questions

Dave Robertson Excerpts

Wednesday 16th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Elsie Blundell (Heywood and Middleton North) (Lab)]

4. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve rail connectivity between north Wales and the north of England.

[Dave Robertson (Lichfield) (Lab)]

9. What steps she is taking with the Welsh Government to improve cross-border rail connectivity.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)]

We are investing at least £445 million—an historic investment—in Welsh rail, to right the years of underfunding by previous Conservative Governments and to unleash Wales’s economic potential. This funding will support the permanent closing of level crossings on the north Wales main line, enabling increased services across north Wales that will improve cross-border connectivity, create jobs and boost economic growth.

[Jo Stevens]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is why I was pleased to see the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Ken Skates recently launch Network North Wales in Wrexham. That really exciting plan will better connect communities in north Wales and north-west England through more rail and bus services and greater integration. Benefits will include 50% more timetabled services on the north Wales main line, boosting cross-border connectivity and driving economic growth between north Wales and north-west England. In addition, the investment in rail infrastructure will boost capacity on the Wrexham to Liverpool line.

[Dave Robertson]

Bore da. Does the Secretary of State agree that the introduction of the midlands rail hub project, which will see an additional train per hour from Cardiff in south Wales to the midlands, is a great sign that this Government are investing not just in Wales and the midlands but in the whole country?

[Jo Stevens]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question—and for his very good Welsh. The first phase of the midlands rail hub will enable additional trains between Birmingham and south Wales, strengthening cross-border connectivity between Wales and England. That is absolutely what this Government’s investment is about: creating jobs and growth and connecting Wales and England.