Will the next few years see the Welsh railway network come of age? Inevitably, much depends on what is affordable. But it also rests on other factors, crucially the political will to improve things, with decision-makers acting as a team.
Two key figures are Carl Sargeant (the Welsh Government minister responsible for transport) and Mark Langman (Network Rails new route director for Wales). Alas, RAIL is not privy to Sargeants thoughts about how the next few years may pan out, because he declined to be interviewed. Langman, however, NRs first route director dedicated to Wales, is keener to discuss his view of the future.
A few pointers did trickle out of Sargeants recent statement about National Transport plan projects.
There was the aspiration: We want to support a modern and efficient rail system in Wales (youd hardly expect him to say otherwise). And there was a declaration of intent: We will use all levers at our disposal to increase our influence over the rail network and services in Wales.
More substantial was Sargeants assertion that the Welsh Government is leading the work to produce the business case for electrifying the main line from Swansea to Cardiff and the Valley Lines, working closely with Network Rail and the Department for Transport. According to Langman, a decision on the Valleys is due later this year.
For Langman, what matters more than a politicians warm words is the fact that rail emerged relatively unscathed from Sargeants recent national transport plan. So hes eager to build up relationships with bodies that have some clout.
http://www.railmagazine.com/news/default.asp?storyID=2
Two key figures are Carl Sargeant (the Welsh Government minister responsible for transport) and Mark Langman (Network Rails new route director for Wales). Alas, RAIL is not privy to Sargeants thoughts about how the next few years may pan out, because he declined to be interviewed. Langman, however, NRs first route director dedicated to Wales, is keener to discuss his view of the future.
A few pointers did trickle out of Sargeants recent statement about National Transport plan projects.
There was the aspiration: We want to support a modern and efficient rail system in Wales (youd hardly expect him to say otherwise). And there was a declaration of intent: We will use all levers at our disposal to increase our influence over the rail network and services in Wales.
More substantial was Sargeants assertion that the Welsh Government is leading the work to produce the business case for electrifying the main line from Swansea to Cardiff and the Valley Lines, working closely with Network Rail and the Department for Transport. According to Langman, a decision on the Valleys is due later this year.
For Langman, what matters more than a politicians warm words is the fact that rail emerged relatively unscathed from Sargeants recent national transport plan. So hes eager to build up relationships with bodies that have some clout.
http://www.railmagazine.com/news/default.asp?storyID=2