PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
CONSEQUENCES OF CANCELLATION OF CARDIFF TO SWANSEA RAIL ELECTRIFICATION (7 May 2018)

That this House notes with dismay and disapprobation the decision to scrap the rail electrification programme between Cardiff and Swansea; further notes that the National Audit Office consider the decision to have been financially driven; rejects claims that bi­modal trains could deliver similar benefits to electrification; believes that the decision will have an adverse impact on improving air quality, energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing services; is deeply concerned that the decision threatens economic growth and development in areas of England and Wales already suffering from poor connectivity and under­investment; is further concerned that the decision directly places 224 specialist skilled jobs at risk; further believes that the decision compounds existing problems with the feast or famine approach to work allocation which, along with short-term funding periods of five years and the increasing commercialisation of Network Rail, is contributing to casualisation of the workforce resulting in the loss of jobs, skills and standards; and calls on the Government to reinstate the electrification programme immediately and protect the affected skilled rail engineering jobs.

Sponsored by:
Jo Stevens (Labour)