UK Budget gives Wales only a sliver of requested rail funding
Wales's Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper, says the UK Government's budget gave only about 3% of the £1 billion Wales asked for from a promised £14 billion rail funding package. He argues this leaves Wales's rail network underfunded, since Wales makes up 10% of the Great Britain network but gets just 1% of Network Rail spending. Network Rail is the public body that runs Britain's railway infrastructure, and Transport for Wales, the Welsh rail operator, says it is ready to start work on the stations.
What does it mean?
The UK Government's budget included only a small part of the £1 billion that Wales wanted for rail now, so Welsh rail projects may have to wait for money. Network Rail is the body that runs Britain's rail tracks and stations, so this affects how quickly work on Welsh railways can happen.
Who is affected?
Rail passengers in Wales, including people travelling to hospital appointments, work, or family, and the Transport for Wales stations project.