Government ministers, MPs, local leaders, universities and businesses met at Westminster on Wednesday (September 6) to support a vision to improve rail services across the South West and South Wales.
The Western Gateway 2050 Rail Vision, was launched in March in partnership with Transport for Wales and the Western Gateway Sub-national Transport Body.
The vision shows how the area could nearly halve current journey times between cities in the area and drastically improve journeys to London and elsewhere in the 海角视频.
The partnership brings together business, academia and governments from both sides of the union to work together in partnership to create new opportunities for the 4.4 million people.
If it went ahead the Rail Vision would work to bring better connection to both countries. The vision highlights how organisations across the area are already working to develop the next generation of trains and require better connections to access industry.
Since its launch, support has grown amongst local organisations and businesses. Wednesday’s Parliamentary event saw MPs and Peers from across the area coming together to discuss ideas. Network Rail and Great Western Railway representatives were also in attendance.
By securing support at a local and national level, this pan-regional vision aims to encourage investment in the area from both public and private sources through showing investors a cohesive plan for the area.
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Katherine Bennett CBE, chair of the Western Gateway, said: “This is not about asking for instant investment or building a new high speed train line. This is a long-term vision which is supported by a cross party group of local leaders which is deliverable, transformational and ready for investment.
“With the help of the Western Gateway All Party Parliamentary Group, we’re looking for support for this vision of the future which can help direct the lasting public and private investment we need in our communities. Our area has huge potential to deliver the 海角视频’s sustainable and net zero future economy and I look forward to continuing our work with partners to unlock a greener, fairer future.”
Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East and co-chair of the Western Gateway APPG, said: “This vision promises to transform access to jobs, skills and opportunities. It is great to see this partnership take advantage of the geography of the Western Gateway, coming together to suggest practical solutions for improving services across the region.”
The Rt Hon Robert Buckland, MP for South Swindon and co-chair of the Western Gateway APPG, added: “This Western Gateway vision highlights the incredible organisations from Swansea to Swindon that are working to develop faster, better train services. I am proud to support this vision which shows how cross border collaboration can find solutions to level up access to opportunities across both Wales and England.”
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