'Wales does not want consultation... we deserve to have control of our railways'

Business editor Sion Barry reports on arguments that proper funding for the rail network in Wales can only be achieved with devolved powers

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Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats have criticised Westminster legislation for a planned new body overseeing rail infrastructure and rail services for failing to give an effective voice to the interest of rail in Wales.

The Railways Bill, which has had its second reading in the House of Commons, will see the creation of state-owned Great British Railways, which was a manifesto pledge of the Westminster Labour government.

But both parties said they cannot support the legislation as its stands and that the only way to address rail underfunding in Wales is for it to be devolved.

Ann Davies, Plaid Cymru's Westminster transport spokesperson, said that while the bill may simplify rail operations in England, it fails to address Wales' lack of control over its own rail infrastructure and the billions in funding the nation loses as a result.

She added: "This bill makes sense for England. However, it does not work for Wales. It fails to address our lack of control over the Welsh rail track, where two governments manage different parts of what should be a single network. This split makes planning railways in the best interests of the people of Wales almost impossible.

"We can see this in the broken promise to electrify the south Wales mainline beyond Cardiff, or even to start work on the equivalent line in the north.

"Scotland, by contrast, controls its rail network and sets its own strategy, giving Scottish ministers real influence over Great British Railways.

"Under this bill, Welsh ministers can only ask to be consulted - Wales does not want consultation, we deserve control.