UK Government Admits It Doesn’t Know How Much Welsh Rail Electrification Would Cost
New information uncovered by the Welsh Liberal Democrats has revealed that neither the Wales Office nor the UK Government Department for Transport know how much electrifying the North and South Wales mainlines would cost – raising serious questions about the commitment and planning behind long-promised rail improvements in Wales.
The UK Government confirmed via a Freedom of Information response to Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick that it holds no data on the estimated costs of the electrification of the North Wales Mainline, while the most recent estimate it has for the South Wales Mainline is from 2017 prior to the project being cancelled.
The Conservative Government repeatedly announced support for rail electrification in Wales, especially as part of its “levelling up” agenda. However, no actual figures or cost assessments appear to have been commissioned or retained—suggesting these promises were never seriously pursued.
In 2017, the Conservatives scrapped plans to electrify the South Wales Main Line between Cardiff and Swansea. While electrification from London to Cardiff was completed, the remaining 40 miles to Swansea were abandoned. Then-Transport Secretary Chris Grayling claimed bi-mode trains would deliver the same benefits, a claim that has since faced widespread criticism.
Similarly, the North Wales Main Line electrification was repeatedly floated, with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing in 2021 that the line from Crewe to Holyhead would be upgraded. Yet no funding was ever allocated, no timeline confirmed, and no business case advanced. The line remains reliant on outdated diesel services.
The Liberal Democrats argue that without any up-to-date estimated costs held by the Wales Office or Department for Transport, neither project is realistically close to being delivered.
This is despite Labour’s Wales Secretary Jo Stevens describing fair rail funding as her “number one” priority ahead of the upcoming Spending Review, expected this autumn.
The revelation adds to growing frustration over how rail is funded in Wales. England-based projects like HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail have been classified as ‘England and Wales’ schemes, meaning Wales receives no consequential funding—while Scotland and Northern Ireland do.
Commenting on the findings, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP said:
"This admission is as staggering as it is revealing. For all the headlines, the Conservatives never even priced up rail electrification in Wales.
“Worse still, there’s no sign that Labour is any more serious about delivering despite such statements from Jo Stevens. Without costings, these projects are clearly nowhere near shovel-ready.
“Electrification is about more than trains. It’s about boosting our economy, connecting key ports and industries to make them competitive in global markets; cutting emissions, and connecting communities.
“Failing to invest in Welsh rail is not just a missed opportunity—it’s a deliberate political choice to keep Wales at the back of the queue.
“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for a fair deal on rail funding for Wales.”
ENDS