In Parliament today I challenged the UK Government over its underinvestment in rail infrastructure in Wales.

Speaking in Wales Office questions, I said “Wales accounts for 11% of the rail network but receives only 2% of rail enhancement funding from this Government. Will the UK Government commit to addressing this underinvestment, and make a start in Newport East by finally allowing the Welsh Government to run more cross-border services under the Wales and Borders franchise and by supporting the new stations fund bid for a walkway station for Magor?”

In response, Wales Office minister and Monmouth MP David Davies said “This oft-cited figure comes from a Wales Government report which looks purely at renewals between 2011 and 2015. The very same report on page 20 draws attention to the figure that would apply if one looked at maintenance operations and restoration as well, in which case the correct figure would be 4.37%, not 2%.”

It’s clear that there’s absolutely no justification for this Conservative Government’s chronic underinvestment of Welsh rail infrastructure.