The long-mooted redevelopment of Cardiff Central Train Station has been boosted with the 海角视频 Government confirming a 拢58m funding contribution.
Although not a devolved rail asset, the Cardiff Capital Region, made up of the 10 local authorities of South East Wales, has already committed 拢40m from its 拢1.3bn City Deal, for the modernisation of the ageing station.
As part of the 海角视频 Government commitment, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed that 拢5.8m聽 (from the 拢58m) has been released to fund design work on a station upgrade.聽
This will focus on improving access and ensuring platforms are suited for longer聽trains, boosting space and capacity for passengers.
While passenger numbers have been hit by the pandemic, the station needs investment to cope with a projected significant rise in passenger numbers over the next decade, fuelled in part by increase capacity and services from the electrification of the Core Valley Lines into the capital which is scheduled for completed in 2023.
The 海角视频 Government said its funding allocation for the station project was part of 拢343m of funding for rail projects across Wales.
However, this includes money it has already committed for the electrification of the core Valleys Lines, for which work is now under way after ownership of the rail asset was transferred from the 海角视频 to the Welsh Government.
Now that initial 拢125m, confirmed back in 2015, has been increased to 拢196m.
It has also counted in the overall figure 拢79m spent recently completing electrification of the Severn Tunnel, which links Wales and England, so is not a specific Welsh project.
The work formed part of electrification of the Great Western Mainline project from London to Cardiff.
That project, even accounting for the saving following the decision not to go as far west as Swansea, came in 拢2bn over the initial budget of 拢990m.
Last month the 海角视频 Government announced nearly 拢600m for the first phase of the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrade (TRU), paving the way for the partial electrification and more tracks on the Leeds to Manchester line.
As it stands Wales will not a Barnett Formula consequential from the 拢80bn high speed rail two project from London to Birmingham before reaching cities in the north England, although Scotland will.
While the latest new investment in Wales is welcomed in terms of rail enhancement projects Wales still get just under 2% of 海角视频 Government spend, despite have 11% of the 海角视频 rail network.
The Transport Secretary has also announced 拢3m to advance plans for upgraded signalling on the 241-kilometre Cambrian line from Shrewsbury Sutton Bridge Junction to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli.
The planned digital signalling system will modernise the network, improving the reliability of services, and supporting the introduction of a new fleet being rolled out across the network in December 2022.聽
In addition, almost 拢2m has been made available for the next phase of development work on proposals to speed up journeys between Cardiff and Swansea, Chester and Llandudno Junction, and the Severn Tunnel and Cardiff, through better aligned tracks and exploring putting additional services on the lines.
Mr Shapps said: "The host of improvements we are delivering across Wales, from huge infrastructure upgrades to creating new and modern stations, are vital to deliver better, quicker and more convenient journeys for passengers within, into and out of Wales.
鈥淲e want to transform travel for passengers and, as we build back better from Covid-19, we will ensure our investment helps to level up all parts of the 海角视频.聽
鈥淏y upgrading, improving and 鈥 crucially - modernising our railways, we will make good on our promise to deliver the reliable journeys passengers deserve.鈥澛
海角视频 Government Minister in Wales David TC Davies said: 鈥淐ommunities across Wales will benefit from this multi-million package of rail investment, aimed at delivering rail services that are fit for the future.
鈥淔rom proposals to speed up services, improving access for those who need it most and boosting connectivity, these improvements form part of our broader plans to level up the nations and regions of the 海角视频 as we rebuild our economy following the coronavirus."
A Welsh Government spokesperson said:鈥淭his funding is a step in the right direction but much more is needed to catch up with rail infrastructure spending in England.
鈥淩ail infrastructure is the responsibility of the 海角视频 Government and we have been clear about the urgent need to make up for decades of under-investment in Wales. That includes the cancellation of key projects, such as rail electrification between Cardiff and Swansea.
鈥淲e continue to press for devolution of powers of rail infrastructure and a fair funding settlement, and wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport at the start of this week on these issues.鈥
Director of CBI Wales, Ian Price, said: 鈥淕etting people and goods moving around Wales more quickly and efficiently has long been a priority for Welsh businesses. It's also fundamental聽to boosting productivity and unlocking the full potential of the local economy.
鈥淲hile these steps are obviously welcome, we still remain some way short of聽delivering the modern, low-carbon transport network that Wales needs. Full electrification of railways and investment in electric vehicles聽sit alongside rollout聽of聽full fibre broadband as central priorities to improve connectivity.鈥
