Transport Infrastructure

Matthew Patrick, the Labour MP for Wirral West, asked the Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help improve transport infrastructure in Wales. In her response, Jo Stevens stated that she was pleased to have met with the Transport Secretary the previous week to discuss their approach to rail in Wales. She mentioned that the Transport Secretary is currently reviewing the previous government's transport infrastructure commitments and will report on this in the autumn. Stevens also highlighted that the government will deliver rail improvements that will make the services more accountable to the people who use them, through the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill, which completed its Commons stages the previous week, and the launch of Great British Railways in shadow form earlier that month. In a follow-up question, Matthew Patrick welcomed the Secretary of State to the House and congratulated her on her election. He noted that the connections between his constituency of Wirral West and North Wales are many, deep, and valued on both sides of the border, but that the transport connections are lagging behind. He asked the Secretary of State to set out what conversations she is having with Ministers and stakeholders to improve those connections. Jo Stevens responded by recognizing the importance of cross-border travel for people across the region. She stated that the UK and Welsh Governments are committed to strengthening those connections, which are vital to unlocking economic growth and employment opportunities for people and businesses. Stevens acknowledged that rail enhancements are required to improve services on the Wrexham to Bidston line, and she assured the House that she will work across the government to drive progress on this matter.