The government is boasting that the funding increase that it announced yesterday (Wednesday 11 June) will mean that “Working people across Wales will benefit from better access to jobs and opportunities”.

As part of the UK Government’s Spending Review outlined yesterday in the House of Commons, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced the investment of at least £445 million in Welsh railways.

The funding will be used in both North Wales and South Wales, and aims to improve connections and boost economic growth.

In particular, the upgrades aim to link advanced manufacturing centres in the north of the country and to improve connections between Wales’ capital city Cardiff and English city Bristol in the south.

The work to be carried out will include repairing level crossings, building new stations and upgrading lines .

A plan to deliver a new public transport network across north Wales was unveiled last month, and earlier this year, plans were released for replacing two level crossings with ramped footbridges in the north of the country.

The government’s Spending Review also included funding for the steel, aerospace and automotive industries in Wales.

The UK government is also providing the Welsh government with what it describes as “the largest settlement in real terms since devolution in 1999”.

Rail services within Wales are run by Transport for Wales. Other operators also run services to and from the country, including Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway and CrossCountry.

“This UK Government is investing in Wales’ future and driving economic growth across the country. 

“We promised we would deal with the historical under-investment in Wales’ rail network and the funding announced today in this Spending Review shows we are delivering on that pledge. 

“Along with a record financial settlement for Welsh Government to improve public services, £118m more to help keep coal tips safe and investment in growing industries like aerospace, we are backing Wales’ potential and delivering for working people.”   

Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens