Meetings

NDM6954 - Debate: The Future of Wales' Railway

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Meeting: 05/02/2019 - Plenary - Fifth Senedd (Item 5)

Debate: The Future of Wales' Railway

NDM6954Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Regrets the historic underinvestment by the UK Government in Wales’ rail infrastructure and recent missed opportunities to enhance strategic infrastructure capacity in Wales.

2. Notes the published work undertaken by Professor Mark Barry: ‘The Rail Network in Wales – The Case for Investment’ and the proposals contained within it to enhance rail infrastructure within Wales and mainlines serving Wales.

3. Supports the Welsh Government’s response to the UK Government’s Rail Review being undertaken by Keith Williams.

4. Believes that investment in strategic rail infrastructure is essential for Wales’ future competitiveness regardless of the terms on which we leave the EU and calls on the UK Government to develop a timetable for meeting its current obligations for the Trans European Transport Network, including full electrification of the North and South Wales mainlines.

The Rail Network in Wales – The Case for Investment

Written Statement containing the Welsh Government response to the UK Government’s Rail Review

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 1.

[If amendment 1 is agreed, amendments 2 and 3 will be de-selected[

Amendment 2Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

In point 1, delete 'regrets' and replace with 'condemns'.

Amendment 3Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Insert at end of point 1:

', acknowledging that Wales is severely lagging behind the rest of the UK in transport infrastructure investment.'

Amendment 4Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Insert at end of point 2:

'and calls on the Welsh Government to implement the recommendations, with emphasis on connecting the north and south through the re-opening of the West Wales lines.'

Amendment 5Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 3.

Amendment 6Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete all after ‘EU’ in point 4 and add as new points:

Regrets the recent poor performance of rail services, including frequent delays and cancellations, operated by Transport for Wales since they became responsible for services on the Wales and Borders franchise.

Regrets the delay in the re-establishment of direct rail services between Wales and Liverpool.

Notes the role that the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales can play in helping to shape a vision for Welsh rail infrastructure.

Notes the scale of the contribution to Welsh rail infrastructure that the UK Government’s city and growth deals will make.

Urges the Welsh Government to work together with the UK Government and all relevant stakeholders in order to continue to make progress in improving rail services in Wales.

Amendment 7Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Notes the importance of decarbonising public transport and calls on the Welsh Government to commit to renewable methods of powering public transport.

Amendment 8Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls for a renewed focus from the Welsh Government on working towards the reopening of the Gaerwen to Amlwch railway line across Anglesey in light of recent worrying economic announcements.

Minutes:

The item started at 16.04

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

NDM6954 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Regrets the historic underinvestment by the UK Government in Wales’ rail infrastructure and recent missed opportunities to enhance strategic infrastructure capacity in Wales.

2. Notes the published work undertaken by Professor Mark Barry: ‘The Rail Network in Wales – The Case for Investment’ and the proposals contained within it to enhance rail infrastructure within Wales and mainlines serving Wales.

3. Supports the Welsh Government’s response to the UK Government’s Rail Review being undertaken by Keith Williams.

4. Believes that investment in strategic rail infrastructure is essential for Wales’ future competitiveness regardless of the terms on which we leave the EU and calls on the UK Government to develop a timetable for meeting its current obligations for the Trans European Transport Network, including full electrification of the North and South Wales mainlines.

The following amendments were tabled:

Amendment 1Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 1.

A vote was taken on amendment 1:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

9

3

31

43

Amendment 1 was not agreed.

Amendment 2Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

In point 1, delete 'regrets' and replace with 'condemns'.

A vote was taken on amendment 2:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

30

0

13

43

Amendment 2 was agreed.

Amendment 3Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Insert at end of point 1:

', acknowledging that Wales is severely lagging behind the rest of the UK in transport infrastructure investment.'

A vote was taken on amendment 3:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

4

4

36

44

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

Amendment 4Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Insert at end of point 2:

'and calls on the Welsh Government to implement the recommendations, with emphasis on connecting the north and south through the re-opening of the West Wales lines.'

A vote was taken on amendment 4:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

7

9

27

43

Amendment 4 was not agreed.

Amendment 5Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete point 3.

A vote was taken on amendment 5:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

9

3

31

43

Amendment 5 was not agreed.

Amendment 6Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

Delete all after ‘EU’ in point 4 and add as new points:

Regrets the recent poor performance of rail services, including frequent delays and cancellations, operated by Transport for Wales since they became responsible for services on the Wales and Borders franchise.

Regrets the delay in the re-establishment of direct rail services between Wales and Liverpool.

Notes the role that the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales can play in helping to shape a vision for Welsh rail infrastructure.

Notes the scale of the contribution to Welsh rail infrastructure that the UK Government’s city and growth deals will make.

Urges the Welsh Government to work together with the UK Government and all relevant stakeholders in order to continue to make progress in improving rail services in Wales.

A vote was taken on amendment 6:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

12

0

31

43

Amendment 6 was not agreed.

Amendment 7Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Notes the importance of decarbonising public transport and calls on the Welsh Government to commit to renewable methods of powering public transport.

A vote was taken on amendment 7:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

39

4

1

44

Amendment 7 was agreed.

Amendment 8Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ynys Môn)

Add as new point at end of motion:

Calls for a renewed focus from the Welsh Government on working towards the reopening of the Gaerwen to Amlwch railway line across Anglesey in light of recent worrying economic announcements.

A vote was taken on amendment 8:

For

Abstain

Against

Total

13

3

27

43

Amendment 8 was not agreed.

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

NDM6954 Rebecca Evans (Gower)

To propose the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Condemns the historic underinvestment by the UK Government in Wales’ rail infrastructure and recent missed opportunities to enhance strategic infrastructure capacity in Wales.

2. Notes the published work undertaken by Professor Mark Barry: ‘The Rail Network in Wales – The Case for Investment’ and the proposals contained within it to enhance rail infrastructure within Wales and mainlines serving Wales.

3. Supports the Welsh Government’s response to the UK Government’s Rail Review being undertaken by Keith Williams.

4. Believes that investment in strategic rail infrastructure is essential for Wales’ future competitiveness regardless of the terms on which we leave the EU and calls on the UK Government to develop a timetable for meeting its current obligations for the Trans European Transport Network, including full electrification of the North and South Wales mainlines.

5. Notes the importance of decarbonising public transport and calls on the Welsh Government to commit to renewable methods of powering public transport.

For

Abstain

Against

Total

35

0

9

44

The motion as amended was agreed.