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Electrification Row Is Harming The Economy: Business Argus
Electrification Row Is Harming The Economy: Business Argus
Electrification Row Is Harming The Economy: Business Argus
Business Argus
Dr Jonathan Deacon, of University of South Wales, and Ben Glazier, business advisor at Business Wales
Nikki Thomas, of HardingEvans, and Jay Waugh of Blesio, Duffryn Comprehensive School
Cllr Cliff Suller, Deserie Manseld and James Woodcock, both of Monmouthshire County Council
Kay BrussalisDavis from the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, Vicki Daley Business Wales
Arriva Trains Wales. As theres a substantial subsidy on that franchise paid for by the Welsh Government, it appears the money will ultimately have to come from Cardiff Bay . Yet, the Welsh Government has responded by categorically stating this will not be the case, as infrastructure is not devolved. And this is where we are today . Nobody is giving an inch either way . While it may not be important to many of the public who pays for the line, what will cause concern is the Welsh Secretary saying the dispute is having knock-on effects over electrifying the main line to Swansea. The delay over the Valley lines which includes the section of the main line between Cardiff and Bridgend was causing problems over the upgrade of the route to Swansea, he said. With the row intensifying over the past few weeks, it seems the decision-makers have forgotten the very reason the electrification announcements were made in the first place, to improve the infrastructure in Wales to boost its economic competitiveness. Nearly two years ago, before the announcement was made, groups of large businesses including Virgin Media, Admiral, Amazon and Royal Mail had already met in Swansea to press the case for further electrification. With many businesses already investing in presences in south Wales, this electrification will surely lead to further growth, boosting job crea-
tion and economic prospects in areas badly hit with unemployment, such as Newport and the Valleys. With a business based in Newport, which provides services across the UK, Im sure Im not alone in urging for leaders in both the Welsh and UK Government to sit down on the negotiating table and come to a solution to this dispute. While it is understandable both Governments want to keep their costs down, perhaps they should not have announced this significant work before such critical decisions were made? The Welsh economy, especially in vulnerable areas such as Newport and the Valleys, has been in desperate need of an injection of impetus for some time now, and many thought it would arrive with this investment. Now we are at risk of delays, harming the development of Welsh companies relying on these improvements. A stronger economy here in Wales boosts the strength of the UK as a whole and, as a nation, we need this rail electrification to happen sooner rather than later. With faster and improved infrastructure services, Wales immediately becomes a more attractive investment for businesses. These delays threaten this potential, harming our businesses seeking to compete on national and international scales, exactly why the work was announced in the first place. We must not forget the ends while we discuss the means.