3. How will the policies contained in the Welsh Government’s ‘Taking Wales Forward’ programme improve rail services in Wales? OAQ(5)0077(EI)

We will be delivering the south Wales metro in tandem with the development of the new Wales and borders franchise, which will bring significant improvements to rail services across Wales. Passengers can expect to see a step change in terms of the quality of rail services provided.

Thank you very much for the reply, Cabinet Secretary. Data provided by the Department for Transport show that rail passengers in South Wales East and south Wales are faced with some of the worst overcrowding in England and Wales. Nearly 40 per cent of train services arriving in Cardiff during the morning rush hour in 2015 had passengers who were forced to stand during the journey. What is the Welsh Government doing to address the issue of overcrowding on commuter train services, and will he comment on reports that spare rolling stock from the Gatwick express could be transferred to Arriva Trains Wales next year?

I would hope the Member would recognise that the historic underfunding of the rail network in Wales, as I outlined to Adam Price, has certainly not helped matters, especially at this time of year. Indeed, this is not a new occurrence; historically, we have fared worse during winter months because the investment has not been forthcoming where it should be. In terms of what we as a Government—we are not yet in control of the franchise; that will come with the new franchise—are able to do right now, there is very limited diesel rolling stock. I’m afraid I didn’t quite catch the details of where the Member believes there may be existing diesel-powered stock that could be utilised, but certainly if he could provide information to me I’ll consider it. There is very limited diesel rolling stock currently available, but we are, as I mentioned earlier, in dialogue with the rail industry to try to identify solutions that could deliver additional capacity in the short term whilst we move towards the new franchise. Capacity on some Valleys lines, as I’ve said, including the Ebbw Vale line, has, no doubt about it, in recent weeks been adversely affected by leaf fall, which is unacceptable.

The Welsh Government’s Taking Wales Forward programme makes it clear that there will be an additional £50 million to advance the development of the north Wales metro system. This is welcome, but, in anticipation of bringing in the metro system in north-east Wales, I think steps need to be taken to ensure that the current system we have there is metro-ready, so to speak. I’ve previously spoken in this Chamber and in the community about the need to have better connectivity in the area—better connectivity in terms of train services on key routes, not just north to south traffic but, more importantly, east to west, because that’s the crucial route with our regional economy. I think we also need to ensure that trains link up with bus services, that buses actually stop at train stations and that both bus and train timetables are synchronised to ensure each journey is as efficient as possible. So, Cabinet Secretary, can you tell me what steps are being taken in the short term to allow the longer term ambition of the north Wales metro to be implemented?

The Member is absolutely right that we need to ensure that the transport network is fully integrated. Yesterday, I outlined to Llyr Huws Gruffydd how we are supporting the bus network in north-east Wales in the area where the metro’s origins will be formed in terms of the approach that needs to be taken since the collapse of GHA Coaches. It’s absolutely essential that we stabilise the bus network in the short term whilst we put together the vision for the north Wales metro. Fifty million pounds has been secured for the development of the metro, and the initial scoping of the work has focused on an integrated hub concept in the Deeside area encompassing, as the Member outlines, rail, bus, active travel and road enhancements. In addition to the development of the north Wales metro, which will, of course, span the border, we are committed to proceeding to public consultation in the new year on a major upgrading of the A494/A55 to relieve congestion on that route.

We meet again, Cabinet Minister. ‘Taking Wales Forward’ includes plans for transport in Wales, with the metro being the most comprehensive and ambitious project ever envisaged by the Welsh Government. I am sure the whole of the Chamber applauds you for your vision on this, but will the First Minister please tell us when will the major works included in this project—[Interruption.] I’m sorry. I do apologise; you’re not there yet, but maybe in the future, sir. Will the Cabinet Secretary please tell us when will the major works included in this project actually begin?

Okay, yes, absolutely. It is a hugely ambitious project and I’d like to thank the Member for his very kind question to me. The cost of the south Wales metro is currently estimated at over £700 million and the timescales are as follows—I’ll go through each of the key points. We’re going to be awarding the operator and developer partner for the franchise and the metro by the end of 2017. We’re going to award the infrastructure contracts by the spring of 2018. By October of 2018, the new franchise will begin. The metro design will take place in 2018-19. Infrastructure delivery will be on site from 2019 and services will be operational from 2023. As the Member outlines, this is a hugely ambitious project, one that we should be excited about and proud of and I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to meet all of those key deadlines and markers. To date, we haven’t missed any of the key timings of this project.