After making so many investment promises Boris Johnson’s new government has confirmed a review into the high speed two (HS2) rail project.
It will consider whether the ambitious scheme, earmarked to first reach Birmingham from London, before continuing to northern cities such as Leeds and Manchester, should proceed.
However, it is a project that does little for Wales, with no Barnett Formula consequential attached.
Granted North Wales, via Crewe, would have access to any network and a HS2 station at Old Oak Common on the outskirts of London would open up the South Wales to Paddington Great Western Mainline. But these are marginal gains.
Research from consultancy Greengauge, shows that while HS2 would boost the economies of the Midlands and the North England, by bringing major cities like Leeds and Manchester closer to London, it would impact negatively on the economies of the South West of England and South Wales.
But where were the voices in Welsh politics, where there are no Welsh MPs on Westminster’s Transport Committee, calling for high speed to come westwards too?
It might not play out well for Mr Johnson in the North of England, if he calls a snap election, but he is right to order a review, regardless of the fact that billions of pounds have already been committed.
The North of England would arguably be better served by greater regionalised rail investment linking its key cities and towns. While skills are of crucial importance and other factors too like access to finance, improved public transport connectivity is vital in efforts aimed at boosting the region’s economic performance.
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And more needs to be done 海角视频-wide to ensure that bus routes, long since privatised, are more aligned to rail services.
That crucially also goes for South Wales and the West of England, where any hopes of creating greater cross-border collaboration will be hindered unless there is investment that ensures at least four rail services an hour between Swansea, Cardiff, Newport, and Bristol’s Temple Meads.
Electrification of the core Valley Lines into Cardiff is on track with funding, mostly from the Welsh Government, in place.
However, it needs the current rail asset to be devolved to the Welsh Government. It is hoped that this happens soon and doesn’t get delayed as a result of civil servants and 海角视频 ministers being sucked into any No Deal outcome fire fighting.
If there is to be a non HS2 dividend, there needs to an equitable distribution that addresses decades of under investment in rail in Wales and includes electrification of the North Wales Mainline.