The Welsh Government has outlined a clear strategy to devolve rail services and infrastructure, aiming to deliver a more responsive, better-funded network for passengers across Wales.
Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper, has confirmed that discussions with the UK Government are now underway to secure improved funding arrangements and greater decision-making powers. The move comes amid longstanding concerns over underinvestment, with Wales accounting for around 10% of the UK rail network by track length but receiving just 1.5% of total rail investment over the past 15 years.
Immediate actions to accelerate improvements
As part of its 100-day delivery plan, the Welsh Government is progressing three priority actions:
- Working with the Department for Transport to accelerate delivery of committed schemes, including the Burns stations programme, expected to enhance connectivity and ease congestion along the M4 corridor.
- Engaging with the forthcoming Railways Bill to strengthen Wales’ influence over future rail policy and investment decisions.
- Beginning negotiations with the UK Government to achieve a funding settlement that better reflects Wales’ infrastructure needs and passenger demand.
These early steps aim to unlock quicker wins for passengers while laying the groundwork for more fundamental reform.
Long-term ambition: full rail devolution
Looking beyond short-term improvements, the Welsh Government is making the case for full devolution of rail. This would bring both track and train under Welsh control—aligning infrastructure, operations and investment decisions more closely with local economic priorities.
The ambition mirrors wider UK transport debates around regional control, but in the Welsh context it is framed as a necessary step to address historical funding imbalances and service constraints.
The proposed model would enable more integrated planning, potentially improving service reliability, connectivity between communities, and alignment with wider economic and decarbonisation goals.
Ministerial perspective
Deputy Minister for Transport, Mark Hooper, said:
“For decades, the UK Government has admitted it has failed to invest in the Welsh rail network and instead allowed it to decline. Our ambition is to change that— we have a vision of a devolved rail network, where rail services are designed around the needs of our people, our communities, and our economy.
“Decisions over rail investment should be made here in Wales, not Westminster.
“A rail network that is designed in Wales, delivered in Wales, and accountable to the people of Wales."
“We know this journey won’t happen overnight, but we have a pathway and the determination to see it through because when our transport network succeeds, Wales works better.”
Industry implications
For UK rail professionals, the proposals signal a potentially significant structural shift.
If delivered, full devolution could:
- Reshape funding flows and investment prioritisation
- Increase collaboration between devolved governments and national bodies
- Influence the development of the UK-wide Railways Bill
- Provide a test case for further regionalisation across Britain
While negotiations remain at an early stage, the Welsh Government’s approach suggests a more assertive stance on rail governance—one that could have ripple effects across the wider UK rail sector.
Image credit: Welsh Government
