RIA Wales & Western welcomes Levelling Up investment in local rail links

RIA Wales & Western has today welcomed a UK Government announcement confirming that over £152 million worth of levelling up funding will be invested in rail-related projects across the region.

Key rail projects in the Wales & Western region given the green light as part of the investment package include:

- Hereford City Transport Package: Hereford will receive £19.9 million to boost local people’s use of public transport with better cycle lanes, improved station facilities and new safety measures for pedestrians.
- Smithfield Riverside Redevelopment Programme and Transforming Movement and Public Spaces in Shrewsbury: £18.7 million will accelerate the regeneration of brownfield land into a new waterside development in Shrewsbury. Better transport links into the local rail station will ensure this project benefits the entire area. 
- Cardiff Crossrail Phase 1: £50 million for Crossrail Cardiff. This will help deliver a new line between Cardiff Bay and Cardiff Central Station, improving travel for thousands of people who travel daily between the stations.
- Mid Cornwall Metro: Nearly £50 million to create a direct train service linking Newquay, St Austell, Truro, and Falmouth alongside better walking and cycling access to stations. 
- West Devon Transport Hub: In Devon, there will be £13.5 million for a new railway station on the eastern edge of Okehampton - the West Devon Transport Hub - complete with high quality cycle facilities and EV charging points on site to better connect communities and promote active travel.

Responding to the announcement, RIA Wales & Western Lead, Robert Cook said:

“This is very positive news. Investing in rail not only boosts connectivity, it also puts rocket boosters under economic growth, creates jobs and generates tax revenue. For every £1 spent on rail, £2.50 of income is generated in the wider economy.

“We welcome that the Government has recognised the power of rail to level up Wales and the West, with projects such as Cardiff Crossrail and the Mid Cornwall Metro set grow local economies and spread opportunity.

“We urge the Government not to take their foot off the pedal when it comes to rail investment, so that more communities right across the country can reap the immense benefits of an enhanced rail network.”

Notes to editors

1. About RIA Wales and Western: RIA Wales and Western is the voice of the rail supply community in Wales and the West.
2. About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community. We help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. RIA has 300+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £43 billion in economic growth and £14 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 710,000 people. It is also a vital industry for the UK’s economic recovery, supporting green investment and jobs in towns and communities across the UK; for every £1 spent in rail, £2.50 is generated in the wider economy. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). www.riagb.org.uk