South Wales Central AM Andrew RT Davies has called for an Assembly inquiry into the rail network in Wales. Constituents across the region have contacted Mr Davies to express their dismay at the situation, which has seen a significant number of journeys cancelled or replaced by buses. Commuters have been warned that the travel chaos is likely to continue for at least the next three weeks … [Read more...]
Bid to improve stations’ access
Transport Secretary Ken Skates has backed a bid to the UK Government’s Access for All programme to improve fifteen stations across Wales. AfA is a UK Government funded programme, used to create an obstacle free, accessible route from station entrance to platform. This generally includes providing lifts or ramps, along with associated works to improve accessibility for rail passengers. The … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 October
The Wales and Borders rail service can be the best passenger rail service in the UK within the next 15 years. This is the message from First Minister, Carwyn Jones who will be on Pontypridd station today to mark the first full day of the new Wales and Borders rail services led by Transport for Wales with a £5 Billion budget to improve rolling stock, stations, information and passenger services, … [Read more...]
Behind the scenes of Metrolink
Economy and Transport Secretary Ken Skates has been to Manchester to meet the operator delivering the new rail services contract in Wales and the borders from October. Transport Secretary Ken Skates and Kevin Thomas, Chief Executive of Transport for Wales Rail Services met Aline Frantzen, Managing Director of Metrolink to go behind the scenes and experience the day to day running of the … [Read more...]
Circuit of Wales plan on track again
A new attempt to create the Circuit of Wales is underway, writes Robin Roberts. The controversial £433M scheme on mountainside overlooking Ebbw Vale was rejected for Welsh Government assistance in June 2017. The original proposers of the 2013 venture failed to secure the confidence of the Welsh Government which had put £9M into studies to turn over 800 acres of mountain moorland into a … [Read more...]
Newslines 30 June
Car breakdowns are expected to escalate to one every four seconds during the hot spell. Green Flag is urging drivers to examine their vehicles before embarking on their travels, as it predicts that up to 86,000 car breakdowns will occur before Sunday. Transport for Wales, the not-for-profit company wholly owned by the Welsh Government responsible for driving forward the Welsh Government’s … [Read more...]
£5 Billion for Welsh rail services & passengers
About 600 staff will be recruited and 450 apprenticeships offered with a new 15-year £5 Billion investment in rail services by Welsh Government. The Wales and Borders services along with the proposed South Wales Metro regional service will be contracted to KeolisAmey, who run London Docklands and Manchester Metro, in partnership with stand alone not-for-profit company … [Read more...]
Circuit of Wales was a car crash for Welsh Government
Senior civil servants in Wales have been criticised by the Welsh Public Accounts Committee over their botched handling of financial affairs surrounding the failed £433M Circuit of Wales. The committee said the officials made "inexplicable decisions" about the spending and authorised £9M initial investment, but it’s unlikely to see £7.3M returned as the developers have taken legal steps to … [Read more...]
Wales transport plans need controlling, say Tories
Transport for Wales could become a national body with responsibility for a wider range of transport functions including infrastructure, Economy and Transport Secretary Ken Skates confirmed. Whilst updating Assembly Members on positive discussions with the UK Government regarding the transfer of powers and the Core Valley Lines railway asset, the Cabinet Secretary set out how this further … [Read more...]
