The UK Government has decided not to go ahead with the electrification of the rail tracks between Cardiff and Swansea.
Pippa Bartolotti, Wales Green Party Deputy Leader has denounced the decision. “If the aim of the UK government is to confine Wales to the hardships and pollution of the past, then they are going the right way about it.
”It is common knowledge that Wales can create more than twice the renewable energy it can use, and that energy can sensibly be used to power – among many things – a rail system. Money is being wasted on more expensive rolling stock as trains will have to switch from electric to diesel for the journey beyond Cardiff. Put another way, the clean engines will go from London to Cardiff, the dirty diesel will be forced on the Cardiff to Swansea leg.”
Funding for the Cardiff to Swansea mainline was secured in 2012 by the David Cameron government to support workers and businesses, and to deliver cleaner transport.
Pippa Bartolotti added,” This should be a vital investment for the future of Wales. Breakthroughs in battery storage are bringing the very real promise of an all electric future. If politics doesn’t get in the way, clean energy will be the ongoing livelihood for tens of thousands in Wales.
“Theresa May’s government is a threat to our economy, people’s jobs and their health. We need the Welsh Government to stand up for our future and lobby hard for this decision to be overturned.”