Liberal Democrats Table Amendment to Devolve Rail to Wales

The Liberal Democrats have tabled a major amendment to the Railways Bill calling for the full devolution of rail powers to Wales, putting Wales on an equal footing with Scotland.

The amendment would remove rail infrastructure from the list of powers reserved to Westminster and require the UK Government to fully transfer responsibility for rail infrastructure, services, and funding to Welsh Ministers within two years.

The move comes after years of Wales being systematically short-changed on rail investment, losing out on billions of pounds as major rail projects based entirely in England have been wrongly classified as “England and Wales” schemes.

Despite having its own Parliament and transport strategy, Wales currently has less control over its railways than Scotland, and no meaningful powers to prevent funding being diverted away from Welsh priorities.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats say the Railways Bill fails to fix this imbalance and instead risks locking in Whitehall control, leaving Wales dependent on consultation rather than real authority.

By tabling the amendment, the party says it is drawing a clear line in the sand: Wales should have the same powers over its railways as Scotland, no more, no less.

The Party has urged all Welsh Labour MPs to sign the amendment.

The Liberal Democrats have 72 MPs in Parliament, but would need other MPs, including Welsh Labour MPs to back the amendment should it be selected for a vote.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP said:

“Wales has been treated as an afterthought when it comes to rail for far too long. While Scotland has the powers to plan, fund and deliver its own rail network, Wales is left with crumbs and warm words by both Labour and the Conservatives.

“This amendment is about fairness. It would give Wales the same control Scotland already has and stop us losing out on billions of pounds for rail projects that don’t even touch Welsh soil.

“If the Government is serious about treating Wales as an equal partner in the Union, it should back this amendment.”

ENDS

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

The Amendment to the rail bill is listed below and can be found on the order paper here

NC30

To move the following Clause—

“Rail devolution: Wales

1. Schedule 7A of the Government of Wales Act 2006 is amended as follows.

1. In Section E2 (Rail Transport), omit paragraph 117.

1. Within two years of this Act receiving Royal Assent, the Secretary of State must lay before both Houses of Parliament regulations providing for the transfer of functions relating to rail services in Wales to Welsh Ministers.

1. The functions transferred under subsection (3) must include, but are not limited to, responsibility for—

(a) railway infrastructure in Wales; 

(b) the specification, provision and regulation of railway passenger services in Wales; 

(c) the development, publication and implementation of a Welsh Rail Strategy; 

(d) the funding, planning, delivery and maintenance of rail enhancement and renewal projects in Wales; and

 
(e) the regulation of access, capacity, charging and performance arrangements for rail infrastructure in Wales.   

1. No regulations may be made by the Secretary of State under this section unless they have been laid in draft before, and approved by, both Houses of Parliament.

1. On the same day that the regulations specified in subsection (3) are laid before Parliament, the Secretary of State must also publish a statement of rail funding detailing the additional funding to the Welsh Consolidated Fund that will be made by His Majesty's Government as a result of rail devolution. 

1. This section comes into force on the day this Act receives Royal Assent."