Tuesday, January 28, 2025 The Western Gateway Partnership has outlined an ambitious plan to revitalize rail infrastructure in Wales and the west of England. Presented in the Rail Deal report at a conference in Cardiff, the proposal highlights the urgent need for significant investment to address years of underfunding by successive UK governments. The plan includes the construction of 30 new train stations, upgrades to existing major hubs, and the addition of 23 new services per hour.
If implemented, these measures aim to provide access to the rail network for an additional 250,000 people and generate £17 billion in economic benefits. The proposal builds upon the partnership’s earlier Rail Vision report from 2023 and calls for action across three phases. It emphasizes the importance of addressing network pinch points, improving connectivity, and transitioning toward greener travel options.
The plan’s success, however, hinges on additional funding from the Treasury or the Department for Transport (DfT) over the next 15 years. The Rail Deal report identifies several priority projects designed to enhance the rail network’s capacity, efficiency, and sustainability. These include: Phase two of the plan focuses on upgrading Cardiff Central and Bristol Temple Meads stations, enhancing rail links between Cardiff and Bristol airports, and improving mainline electrification to Filton Bank, Chippenham, and Oxford.
The third phase introduces Cardiff Crossrail phase two and improved.
