ITV News quotes Eluned Parrott AM, the Welsh Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson, on today's decision to hand control of the Wales and borders rail franchise to the Welsh Government:
"Today's announcement is a landmark as it means decisions on Welsh train services will now be made in Wales. The fact that this power closer to the people of Wales shows just how strong the Liberal Democrat influence is in the Wales Office.
"Until now, the Governments at either end of the M4 have been able to pass the buck between them over who is to blame when things go wrong. Now we will know absolutely where responsibility lies for making improvements to services and giving Wales the trains it deserves.
"The Welsh Government have less than four years to decide what all of Wales needs now and in the future, run a franchise competition, select an operator and then ensure they have the trains they need to deliver decent services. This will be no mean feat, but with matters resolved and commuters knowing where to look for answers, our rail services will be properly accountable at last."
We remain bound by the Railways Act 1993 though.
ReplyDeleteWhat about those parts of England (much of Herefordshire and Shropshire) whose local rail services are part of the Wales and Borders rail franchise?
ReplyDeleteWhat's to stop the a Welsh Assembly with no reason to care about English votes from deciding, for example, to speed up services linking north and south Wales by cutting intermediate stops within England? Do rail users from places like Ludlow and Leominster have any reason to be worried?