12 hours ago
England gets £16bn for transport as people share views on what Wales needs
England gets £16bn for transport as people share views on what Wales needs
WalesOnline readers have shared their thoughts on the the billions of pounds that will be spent on tram, train, and bus projects in mayoral authorities across the Midlands, the north, and the west of England
WalesOnline readers have been discussing the recent transport funding announcement for England. Billions of pounds are earmarked for investment in tram, train, and bus projects across mayoral authorities in the Midlands, the north, and the west of England.
The funding news precedes the upcoming spending review, set to be unveiled in the coming days, which will decide the budget allocation for each Whitehall department for the coming three to four years. A substantial boost in rail transport funding for Wales is expected in the forthcoming announcement but official confirmation has yet to come.
Users have been vocal about their concerns, frustrations, and aspirations regarding Welsh transport considering the challenges faced.
One reader, Ospreyorders, writes: "Welsh Labour would only waste it on vanity projects. We need an M4 relief road around Newport. We need three lanes on the M4 all the way to Pont Abraham. Labour doesn't want this, they are happy with people sat in queues for hours!"
OverweightNo8 adds: "Transport in Wales is a devolved responsibility, hence like everything else Welsh Labour touch its a shambles, Rachel [Reeves, UK chancellor] will not give them a penny."
Welshrugby replies: "Transport in Wales IS devolved as you said BUT the Welsh Government will announce the extra spending on transport in its own time like Scotland will and N Ireland will. England has its own transport fund."
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Jeff2509 says: "Wales announced spending increase on transport back in February. The disappointment here is rail infrastructure, in the hands of Westminster's Network Rail, has not included any funding for its responsibility in Wales."
Frustrate remarks: "Any form of transport in Wales would be nice a bus now and again for example."
Boredtaxidriver62 writes: "First thing? Reopen the Carmarthen to Aber rail line. This one is relatively cheap compared to HS2 and would fully connect Wales. Want to go green? Net Zero? Start there, or accept that nobody from say, Swansea, is going to go to Shrewsbury first. I believe, if all trains are there and on time, Swansea to Aber takes five hours. So everyone drives."
Willywopp asks: "What happened to the black hole left by the Tories which left pensioners out of their winter fuel payments all of a sudden she has this money for rail upgrades for ENGLAND?"
Bob_ says: "This proves the Senedd is blocking what Wales gets because we are separated from Westminster. The announcement that £16bn will be spent on transport in England to get their bus services to cover all areas on a not-for-profit basis. So it will cover areas that bus service do not go, enabling isolated people to get the same service."
Penfroboy writes: "That is what pre-privatisation bus services used to do, serve the community. Labour are only returning services to the status quo, not doing anything mind-blowing. These are the rural services we relied on donkeys years ago, not just in England but Wales as well."
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Tannerbanc wrote: "Wales is not a priority for Labour in Westminster despite Welsh Labour hopes because the votes here are seen as guaranteed, it is not a priority for the Conservatives when in power because the votes are seen as cannot be won due to the tribal voting in Wales, so we lose out. You get what you vote for, change is needed."
Robyponty22 says: "Don't you realise, Wales has a devolved government, it's up to Welsh Labour government to spend as they wish, and if they choose to spend on vanity projects, airports, trees for Uganda, fields for concerts, that has just sat there for four years. Devolution the last 25 years and billions gone adrift, haven't you wondered why we have the worst education, health service, social service, and every other public service? All propped up by the so called Party of Wales. Look up what devolution means."
Do you feel that Wales is left out of the transport funding via Westminster? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.
