Plaid Cymru has stepped up the campaign for high-speed electric rail links to connect Wales to mainland Europe by tabling a statement of opinion in the National Assembly.

Plaid AM Chris Franks tabled the statement of opinion following a meeting with rail enthusiasts.

The South Wales Central AM said: “Plaid is calling for high speed electric rail links from Wales to mainland Europe.

“It was thanks to pressure from Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones that Gordon Brown’s government conceded that the rail line from Swansea to London would be electrified. At first it looked like Labour Ministers in London would stop electrification at Bristol missing out Wales altogether.

“The Con-Dem government has to give a priority to ensuring Wales does not lose out regarding high speed rail links. We are urging the new government to ensure high speed links, the electrification of rail lines and more rolling stock. The Plaid Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has ensured substantial investment in Welsh railways, and it would be outrageous if Wales missed out of electrification.”

He added: “Plaid supports the improvement of commuter services from the valleys and major transport improvements throughout Wales. In order to create the kind of society we want to create, we need a strong economy.”

Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood commented: “Given the imperatives of climate change coupled with the predictions of oil price shocks, government at all levels need to be doing everything possible to encourage people to reduce car use and use public transport instead. That is why Plaid Cymru sees electrification as so important, but we also want to see much more investment in public transport, so that Wales’ greenhouse gas emissions can be minimised.”

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