**Chancellor Rachel Reeves Vows to Bring Major Rail Improvements to Wales During Visit**
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has affirmed her commitment to transforming the future of transport in Wales during a visit to a key rail facility near Cardiff. Her visit comes in the wake of a landmark announcement, as the UK Treasury pledges £445 million towards crucial rail projects in the region, aiming to address the long-standing imbalance in investment between Wales and other parts of the UK.
During her tour of the recently completed £100 million Transport for Wales depot at Taffs Well, Reeves emphasised that the funding would catalyse transformative change for Welsh railways. Clad in necessary orange high-visibility gear, Reeves examined the latest electric tram-trains and took the opportunity to meet apprentices on the verge of qualification—highlighting both the skills development and job creation that the investment is expected to fuel.
A primary focus of the £445 million investment, announced as part of the government’s new multi-year spending review, is the construction of five new mainline stations in the Cardiff and Newport areas. These additions are designed to offer tens of thousands of residents new alternatives to car travel, with the intention of reducing congestion, cutting emissions, and boosting connectivity. Further funds are earmarked for enhancing the Core Valleys Lines and improving rail capacity at critical junctions such as Cardiff West and Padeswood Sidings in North Wales.
However, transport analysts and campaigners have voiced concerns regarding the adequacy of the funding. Many argue that the sum, though significant, may fall short of what is needed to rectify years of “chronic underinvestment”, a sentiment Chancellor Reeves herself acknowledged. When pressed about these reservations and questioned on the extent of the government’s commitment, Reeves told the press, “We can’t change the past, but we can change the future.” She was joined by Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens, who described the funding as “transformational” and promised that its impact would soon be visible throughout Welsh communities.
WalesOnline and other advocates have long campaigned for fairer transport funding, drawing attention to the historical disparity that has left Wales with less modernised infrastructure than its English counterpart. There have been repeated calls for a funding model that offers parity, with critics noting that Welsh residents have endured fewer electrified railway lines and outdated services for generations.
Chancellor Reeves, in response to questions about why Wales’ allocation lags behind multi-billion-pound investments in northern England, pointed to the government’s swift actions since assuming office. She stressed that the current and continuing investments represent the largest settlement for Wales since devolution. Alongside rail investment, other recent funding decisions—including £118 million towards coal tip safety—demonstrate what she calls a marked departure from previous administrations’ priorities.
While this £445 million is positioned as a down-payment on the future of Welsh rail, many in the sector question whether long-term commitment and certainty will be forthcoming, particularly as the Government prepares to introduce a major Railway Bill later in the year. Some experts have argued that only full devolution of rail powers will guarantee enduring improvements, yet the Welsh Government remains confident that fair funding can be delivered without such constitutional changes.
According to Secretary Jo Stevens, the money will not only fund the immediate development of new stations and upgrades but will support longer-term project planning. She summarised the government’s ambition, stating, “We’re delivering as quickly, as fast, and as widely as we can, so people can soon see the benefit of a Labour government in Westminster working hand in hand with Welsh Labour in Cardiff.”
Public advocacy for further change remains robust, with campaigns and petitions pushing for the sort of rail funding parity that England receives. The government’s recent announcement is widely viewed as a step in the right direction, yet many stakeholders believe much more is required to bring Wales’ railway infrastructure in line with its needs and ambitions.
As legislative opportunities loom later this year with the introduction of the Railways Bill, the hope is that this will be structured to lock in funding fairness for future generations. Politicians, experts, and travellers alike continue to watch closely, eager for evidence that words will be met with lasting action at a national level.