Transport Questions – Funding for Cardiff Central Station – 18 Jan 2018
This morning in Transport Questions I asked the Secretary of State whether he would commit UK Government funding towards the much-needed redevelopment of Cardiff Central Station.
The station is getting busier every year, with passenger numbers expected to reach 22 million in the next five years.
Cardiff’s Labour Council and the Welsh Labour Government have this week released proposals for the redevelopment, which would include a hub for the South Wales Metro, and announced their funding contributions, along with potential private sector investment. The project cannot go ahead, however, without UK Government funding.
As usual, answers and commitment from the government were not forthcoming. The Secretary of State simply responded by referring to his visit to the Central Square development which is not a development that expands the station’s passenger and train capacity. So, still no answer on a funding commitment from the Tory Government for this project, nor any hint that it might even be considered. I will of course continue to press the Tory Transport Secretary and the Secretary of State for Wales on this issue.
You can watch the exchange here:
Jo Stevens MP
“Thank you Mr Speaker. On the issue of funding, Cardiff Central rail station, the busiest in Wales, is in urgent need of redevelopment to accommodate passenger growth expected to be 22 million in the next five years.
“This week our Labour Council and the Welsh Labour Government announced their funding contributions, and private sector funding, but the project can only go ahead if there’s UK Government funding too. When is the funding going to be confirmed?”
Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport
“I think the important thing about Cardiff Central Station, there is a huge development taking place around the station and I’ve met the developers, and met local politicians. What I want to see there is what I want to see in other parts of the rail network which is a real integration of station development with commercial development. This should be an absolutely integral part of what’s happening all around the station, not just a station project in its own right, and that’s what I want to see happen.”
http://www.jostevens.co.uk/transport_questions_funding_for_cardiff_central_station
Includes photo