Next year presents a pivotal moment to rectify Wales’ rail funding issues
Cardiff: Keir Starmer’s government has a real shot next year to fix the long-standing issues with Wales’ rail network. This is a chance he really needs to grab.
With two major events lined up for 2025, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change how rail funding and decisions are made across the UK.
WalesOnline and our sister publications will be pushing hard in the coming months to make sure this chance to right past wrongs isn’t wasted.
For too long, Wales has been shortchanged when it comes to rail funding. The way Westminster has handled infrastructure spending has been all about profit, pouring money into the busy areas in the southeast while leaving Wales in the dust.
Meanwhile, London and its surrounding areas enjoy a top-notch rail system with everything from underground trains to express services. Wales? Not so much. Our trains are often old, unreliable, and overcrowded.
Recently, the Welsh Government has been trying to fix some of these issues with its own funds. But since rail infrastructure isn’t devolved, Wales doesn’t get a fair share of the funding it deserves. Instead, it’s been taking money from other public spending areas.
The focus on the massive HS2 project, which connects London and Birmingham, has really highlighted this problem. Wales isn’t seeing any benefits from HS2, yet it’s funded through the rail budget that Westminster controls, leaving us with no say in the matter.
We’ve already lost out on about £400 million because of this, and if things don’t change, Wales could miss out on around £4 billion by the time HS2 is finished in 2041.
This isn’t just a past issue from a Conservative government; it’s happening now, and Starmer has a chance to make a difference in 2025.
Next year, there are two key opportunities: the multi-year spending review by Rachel Reeves’ Treasury and the Railways Bill aimed at overhauling the rail system through a new body called Great British Railways.
This year is crucial for the UK government to reset funding for Wales’ transport network and to create a separate rail administration for Wales, which has been overlooked for too long.
It’s the first real chance to address this since the 2004 rail bill, which gave Scotland control over its rail infrastructure but left Wales out in the cold.
Should the Welsh Government be pushing hard for full control over its rail network and a fair share of funding? Many think so, as it’s the only way to avoid being at the mercy of decisions made in Westminster.
But there are other options too. The Welsh Government seems to prefer securing a guaranteed annual funding amount from Westminster and establishing a separate Wales unit within GBR to ensure proper oversight of rail investments.
Ultimately, the key is that this government doesn’t let this chance slip away to fix something that’s been broken for generations.
Good public transport is essential. It’s more important than ever as we tackle climate change. It can boost the Welsh economy and ease traffic woes, especially on the M4.
This Labour government has a rare opportunity this year to set us on a better path. It’s time to take action.