Although much improved the North Wales rail service continues to need investment in track, signalling and dilapidated stations if we are to enjoy the economic benefits of the railway link between London and Ireland.

Recent meetings with various interested parties indicate that some train companies would be willing to invest significantly in capital projects if the length of the rail franchise could be extended. This is a crucial point. As things currently stand the investment in track, signalling and stations falls under the responsibility of Network Rail and this means that the expectation is that there will be less money available to upgrade the infrastructure in the future since we all know how much spare money the Government has available.

At the Welsh Select Committee I asked the Secretary of State if she had undertaken any discussions with interested parties in relation to this issue and whether the Welsh Office intended to make any representations to the Department of Transport on the length of the proposed new franchises which are subject to negotiation from 2012 onwards. The response to both questions was in the affirmative I’m glad to say.

I will, in addition to raising the issue with the Welsh Office, make representations to the Department of Transport. If private companies are willing to invest their funds in the re-development of the railway infrastructure in North Wales in return for a longer franchise period then it is an option that I believe we should consider very carefully.

Guto