Newport East

Rail Investment Announced 19 July 2009

£1 billion pound rail investment - "good news for passengers"

Speaking after the UK Government's announcement of a £1 billion package of funding to electrify the rail line between London and Swansea, Newport East MP Jessica Morden said:

"For successive Governments, the electrification of this crucial line has literally been "the third rail" that Ministers have been afraid to touch. I am delighted that our Labour Government has been brave enough to rise to the challenge with this huge funding package, realising the range of benefits it will bring to people across the country as well as here in Newport. I am also proud that the announcement was made on the day that Gordon Brown and his Cabinet team are meeting in South Wales.

"The announcement is good news for passengers as journey times will be shorter, good news for the environment as electric trains are less polluting, and good news for the taxpayer as new trains will cost less to purchase. This is a Labour Government at its best - investing in the country's future even as recession bites."