The electrification of the rail line from London to Swansea is good news. So good that sometimes it's easy to forget that not that long ago Network Rail were publishing plans that showed the electric line not coming to Wales.
What made the difference and made sure that Wales got an electrified line? Well the work of the Plaid's Ieuan Wyn Jones AM was an important part of it. His hard behind-the-scenes lobbying as Deputy First Minister has helped to secure this project.
The benefits of electrification have been demonstrated in other countries - that's why Plaid has been campaigning for this since as far back as 1977. And we'll continue to campaign to ensure that the rest of Wales is well connected to Europe ’s major networks - electrification of the London to Swansea line is a major step in the right direction.
This news comes on top of the boost to public transport recently announced by Ieuan in the National Transport Plan. Amongst a host of measures announced, in the region I represent, there are plans to increase the capacity, quality and performance of the Valleys Lines network by creating additional platforms at Pontypridd, Caerphilly and Barry. There are also plans to introduce additional services on the lines from Pontypridd and Caerphilly to Cardiff and for additional half-hourly services on the Vale of Glamorgan line.
2 comments:
Quite right Leanne. Bit rich of Gordon Brown and co to claim credit alone. I always thought electrification of railways in Wales would only ever happen when there was a left-nationalist government in place in Wales.
As bad as Brown and co are though, a Tory government might be even worse. We need full responsibility for the railways, and the Barnett money we are owed to pay for them. Look what the Tories did to Welsh railways in the past!
As someone who has had the misfortune of commuting on the Treherbert Valleylines train to Cardiff regularly in the past I will wholeheartedly support any investment which will improve that service but unfortunately all that Valleylines seem to care about is the service as far as Pontypridd. Time and again people in the Rhondda have been asked to get off the train at Pontypridd or Porth so the train could turn around and ensure other services remain on schedule. It was such a regular occurence it was laughable. Most people in the Rhondda now have to travel outside the valley for work but are treated like 2nd class citizens should they choose public transport.
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