The House of Commons’ Welsh Affairs Committee says such a Board – supported by the governments of Westminster and Wales – would improve services for passengers.

It describes railways in Wales as “a Victorian system trying to support a 21st Century level of service” with slow trains and inadequate stations.

The Committee also calls for the UK Government to come forward with new proposals before the end of the year to improve connectivity between Swansea, Cardiff and Bristol, which could involve completing electrification of the south Wales mainline. Development of proposals for a Swansea Bay Metro are also urged.

It also considers High Speed 2 and says Scotland and Northern Ireland are set to benefit more financially from so called ‘Barnett consequentials’ arising from building the high speed line. The rail funding settlement for Wales should, it adds, be recalculated.

But the Committee adds that High Speed 2 could have “clearer and more direct benefits” for Welsh passengers if enhancements are made to stations at Chester and Crewe, followed by electrification of the North Wales mainline.

Welsh Affairs Committee chair Stephen Crabb said: “There is a compelling case for greater investment in rail infrastructure in Wales to improve journey times for passengers, strengthen connectivity with the rest of the United Kingdom and reduce carbon emissions.

“While there will always be voices calling for the further devolution of rail powers, it’s clear that what passengers most need is both of their governments, as well as the rail operators, working together.”

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We are accelerating Britain’s recovery from Coronavirus by investing in vital infrastructure across the UK, helping get businesses back on their feet, creating jobs and levelling up our country.

“We have already committed a record £1.5Bn to the Welsh railways in recent years and the recently announced Union Connectivity Review will look at how best to enhance transport links across the United Kingdom to improve connectivity.”

Also this week, the Office of Rail & Road has said that Network Rail needs to focus more effort on drainage asset knowledge, structures examinations and track worker safety. 

It says the infrastructure operator is behind on completing its network wide surveys to locate, inspect and record all of its drainage assets, and it must ensure it effectively manages its infrastructure to mitigate the impact of climate change and extreme weather on railways.

There is limited evidence, it adds, that Network Rail has suitable plans in place or is making adequate progress towards reducing its backlog of inspections so that it can manage its assets more effectively.

In terms of track worker safety, better use of technology is urged to reduce risks, such as automatic warning equipment to detect line blockages.

Chief Inspector of Railways, Ian Prosser said: “There must be no let up in the industry’s focus on safety and managing the impacts of extreme weather and climate change.

“Drainage and earthworks have been the Cinderella assets for too long and we are working to ensure the rail industry takes action.”

(Photograph: Network Rail)

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