Welsh Government Ministers and Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander have agreed to sign a finalised Memorandum of Understanding to enable Transport for Wales and Network Rail to prepare for future partnering arrangements between Transport for Wales and Great British Railways (GBR).
UK Government and Welsh Government will jointly manage rail functions once GBR is established. Welsh ministers will have a bigger say in decisions affecting Welsh passengers and communities.
GBR will work with Transport for Wales to ensure passenger information is provided in both English and Welsh, supporting a more user‑friendly, locally relevant railway.
The MoU ensures that issues affecting Welsh passengers are addressed with local input, so problems can be dealt with more quickly and improvements better reflect community priorities.
GBR will collaborate with Transport for Wales to make multi‑modal interchanges easier and more efficient, helping passengers move more smoothly between rail, bus, and active travel.
This reinforces a long‑term joint commitment to infrastructure and service improvements, starting with UK Government’s commitment to £445 million for new stations, level crossing upgrades, improvements to key rail corridors.
The MoU is testament to the efforts of Ken Skates Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Heidi Alexander and Jo Stevens the Secretary of State for Wales, along with North Wales MPs including myself. As a member of the Railways Bill committee, I heard evidence and held extensive discussion about the importance of an MoU. Now that it has been signed, this is further evidence of the importance of having two Labour Governments working in partnership for Wales alongside organisations like Growth Track 360 which I also chair who actively campaign for improved cross border rail.
