The Welsh Government has identified four new train stations it is looking to deliver with backing from the Westminster government.
Economy and Transport Minister Ken Skates has written to 海角视频 Government Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, making the case for financial backing towards the cost of the stations identified by the Welsh Government's transport body Transport for Wales.
Together the projects have a projected cost, excluding VAT of £46m.
They are:
- Deeside Parkway, on the Borderlands Line in North Wales, cost of £22.56m.
- Carno, on the Cambrian Mainline in Mid Wales, £7.53m.
- St Clears on the Great Western Mainline in West Wales, £6.33m
- Ely Mill on the City Line in Cardiff, £6.33m.
Mr Skates is seeking backing from the 海角视频 Government's latest and third New Station Fund, which has a budget of £20m and applies to England and Wales.
Due to the large number of expected bids and the relatively small funding post, it is very unlikely that all four station projects will get backing.
However, Wales has secured backing from the previous two new station funds, with Bow Street Station in Ceredigion and Pye Corner in Newport.
The fund will finance up to 75% of the capital cost of new or previously closed stations. However, the Welsh Government is seeking funding for the four projects in full, with backing outside of the new station fund to address under investment in rail infrastructure in Wales.
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Apart from the Core Valley Lines, the City and Coryton Lines in Cardiff, the rail network in Wales is not a devolved area.
Wales has for decades seen significant under funding from the 海角视频 Government on rail enhancement investment; around 2% of spend despite having more than 10% of the England and Wales rail network.
The winning station bids will be revealed autumn, with them opening to passengers in March, 2024.
In his letter to Mr Schapps, Mr Skates said: "In combination, which is why I have not prioritised between them, the Transport for Wales report demonstrates a compelling case for all four to be developed as an integrated programme to improve access to the rail network across the regions of Wales.
"They will make a major contribution to improved rail connectivity, supercharge our post Covid19 recovery, and develop our public transport for the future. Our new station openings will be key to building back better."
Mr Skates described the proposed Deeside Parkway and Ely Mill stations as key components of the respective North Wales and South Wales Metros.
The minister said new stations in Carno and St Clears would support strong employment and sustainable economic growth through improved regional connectivity.
There was previously a station at Carno, but was as a victim of the Beeching cuts to the 海角视频 rail network.