🚆 **Devolution Denied: Rail Powers Remain with UK Government**
The push for Wales to take control of its own railways has hit another roadblock. Despite passionate appeals from First Minister Eluned Morgan, the UK Government has once again declined to devolve rail powers to Wales. Morgan envisioned rail devolution as a crucial step in a “new chapter for devolution,” but it seems this chapter remains unwritten.
In a recent keynote speech, Morgan highlighted the necessity of a fair funding adjustment alongside the devolution, drawing attention to the financial gaps currently disadvantaging Wales. While Scotland and Northern Ireland enjoy nearly full funding from rail projects, Wales only receives a mere 33.5%.
With an eye on future rail projects worth a staggering £40bn in England, the call for a fair share in Wales becomes even more pressing. The Liberal Democrats have been vocal, urging devolution within two years as part of the Railways Bill, which is set to create the new Great British Railways (GBR).
Despite these efforts, Transport Under-Secretary Keir Mather stated in a committee that the bill, which has the Welsh Government’s backing, already enhances joint rail work between nations, maintaining the current arrangements without extra legislative complexity.
Critics argue that without statutory backing, this leaves Wales without the tools to implement its transport policies, unlike Scotland, which has had control since 2005. Meanwhile, some view this as mere lip service, claiming it leaves Wales falling short of much-needed infrastructure advancements.
Professor Mark Barry of Cardiff University has been a longtime advocate for rail devolution, seeing it as key to addressing Wales’s historical underfunding issues. However, until substantial legislative changes occur, Wales’s rail ambitions remain stalled on the tracks. 🚉
📢 What do you think of the decision to keep rail powers centralised? Share your thoughts below! 💬