North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood this week called on the First Minister to recognise the need for interests either side of the border to be fully represented in the devolution of the Wales and Borders Rail Franchise to Wales.
The Wales and Borders Rail Franchise covers the vast majority of services in Wales, including many links to England. Former Prime Minister David Cameron announced in November 2014 that the franchise would be devolved to the Welsh Government before Arriva Trains Wales’ franchise ends in 2018.
User groups in north-east Wales are keen for English bodies to have devolved franchise responsibility together with the Welsh Government.
Raising the matter with the First Minister in the Assembly Chamber on Tuesday, Mr Isherwood said:
“How do you respond to the submission by user groups in north-east Wales to the Welsh Affairs Committee inquiry on the Wales and Borders Franchise devolution to Wales that English bodies such as Rail North must have devolved franchise responsibility alongside the Welsh Government for those cross-border services, such as Wrexham-Bidston, into England, which remain in the devolved franchise?”
In his response the First Minister said: “Whilst we want to make sure that the Wales and Borders service, with its franchise, is run from Wales, we believe we can provide an equally good service to people living in England as well.”
Mr Isherwood added: “The First Minister failed to recognise the need for interests either side of the border to be fully represented, where the existing Wales and Borders Franchise includes cross border rail passenger services into England and services between stations in England. Instead of cooperation, however, this First Minister again acts like the naughty boy who wants all the toys.”