Welsh Liberal Democrats have today launched a radical set of policy proposals to reinvent the Welsh transport system. During the Lib Dem UK Conference in Bournemouth, the party’s Shadow Minister for Transport, Jenny Randerson AM launched the proposals, which will be debated by the party’s Welsh Conference in October.
The document: The Road to Rail – Getting Wales on the right track includes proposals for a major shift in resources towards the Welsh rail network from the current ballooning roads budget. Other proposals include scrapping the expensive regional rail consortia in favour of Joint Transport Authorities owned and operated by Local Authorities; the creation of a new Assembly Government department for the Environment and Transport with a Deputy Minister for Sustainable Transport; a commitment to protect the system of free bus travel for elderly and disabled people; and a doubling of the walking and cycling budget.
Detailed proposals include:
o Major infrastructure investment including an aim of transforming the Valley lines network into an electrified “metro” system and further electrification in North Wales.
o Re-opening of lines and stations.
o An expansion in park and ride facilities.
o A move towards more rail freight facilities in Wales.
o The creation of a Gwent Parkway station and other improvements in South Wales to offset the M4 Relief Road cancellation.
o An end to the expensive Cardiff – Ynys Môn air subsidy.
o Improving safety on the A55 and A470
Speaking at the launch of the paper in Bournemouth, Jenny Randerson AM will said:
“We have had years of political inaction on transport. Now, with money the tightest it has been in a generation, there is an urgent need for re-balancing before it is too late.
“I’m proposing a radical investment programme that will see better train services for all parts of the country. From electrification of the valley lines to the reopening of stations, these proposals will put us on the road to rail.
“Experts tell me, and this was confirmed by WAG’s own Advisory group, that in terms of expertise and organization, the way that transport is organised in Wales is not right. There is too much repetition, and too much inaction.
“Not only are we ensuring that the investment needed in rail is in place, but also that serious structural re-organisation and streamlining takes place. Ieuan Wyn Jones has already admitted that he doesn’t know if officials in his department have any professional experience in the rail industry. We need a department that puts transport at the heart of what it does.”
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