Local and national politicians from Cardiff, Bristol and Swindon will appeal to fellow MPs in London on Wednesday, calling for the Government to push ahead with the proposed electrification of the Great Western Mainline.
They will argue that electrification of the line – a commitment of the previous Government – is crucial to economic recovery in South Wales and South West England, and vital to any future development of High Speed Rail along the Great Western Corridor.
Leaders from all three Councils, as well as other members of the Great Western Partnership, will be attending a reception on Wednesday at the Commons hosted by Cardiff Central MP Jenny Willott.
At the reception the case will be made for electrification and the economic benefits it will bring to the Great Western Corridor.
The electrification scheme is currently being considered as part of Sir Roy McNulty’s Value for Money Review of UK rail projects which will feed into the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review next week.
Bristol City Council Leader Barbara Janke said: “We must make our voice heard in the run-up to next week’s CSR in making the case for the West and Wales. Good transport links are absolutely essential for our cities and regions to build our economic competitiveness, and not to lose out to other regions of the country.
“Electrification is our immediate priority although our eventual goal must be for the West and Wales to be on the High Speed Rail map.”
Cardiff Council’s Leader Rodney Berman said: “I am fully committed to persuading the Government to press ahead with electrifying the existing Great Western Main Line between London, Cardiff and Swansea.
“Electrification will reduce existing journey times from Cardiff to London by 20 minutes. This is vital to the future growth of the economy in South Wales and can also provide a platform for the future development of a High Speed Rail link. We will be using the opportunity at the reception to urge the Government to proceed with these proposals as originally planned”.
Swindon Borough Council Leader Roderick Bluh said: “The economic and social benefits of electrifying the Great Western Mainline would be significant, not just for Swindon, but for other towns and cities in the West and South Wales.
“We will do all we can to make sure we are not left off the High Speed Rail map.”
Jenny Willott said: “Electrification is incredibly important to developing better transport links between London and Cardiff and would provide a doorway to the rest of Wales.
“Not only would electrification be a real improvement for passengers, allowing more people to use the Great Western Mainline, but it would be a great investment in Cardiff, helping to encourage private business which will be vital in the Welsh economic recovery.”
