#Consequential Funding (High Speed Rail) Motion

#Consequential Funding (High Speed Rail) Motion

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**This House recognises that:**

1. High Speed 2 (HS2) is a proposed high-speed railway network, with the first phase under construction, and that the Oakervee Review has provided a total cost estimate of £106 billion.[1]

2. Where responsibility of rail is devolved in Scotland and Northern Ireland both the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly receive Barnet consequential funding based on both population and overall cost. As rail is not devolved in Wales; the Welsh Parliament is not due consequential funding of any kind.

3. According to a report available to the Department for Transport there are few passenger benefits to Wales and an overall negative economic impact to the Welsh economy of as much as £150 million a year.[2]

4. Historically Westminster has failed to invest appropriate funds in Welsh rail infrastructure.

**This House therefore urges;**

Her Majesty's Government to make consequential funding of around £5 billion available for investment in the rail infrastructure of Wales, by the delivery date of High Speed 2.

This motion was submitted by the Rt Hon. Lord Branxton KD CB CVO KBE MS on behalf of the Libertarian Party Cymru.

1. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/870092/oakervee-review.pdf

2. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/18_10_13_newsnight_hs2.pdf

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My Lords,

Firstly, let me say that this motion does not seek to pass judgement on High Speed Rail, it does not seek to attack or discredit the efficacy of High Speed Rail. Instead, this motion seeks to ensure High Speed Rail does not become a game of winners and losers; that Wales does not become poorer having contributed to it's construction. With recognition not a inch of track nor a single station will be build west of the border - I seek justice My Lords. Nothing more.

A report commissioned by the Department for Transport itself found High Speed Rail will cause a significant and negative impact to the Welsh economy. With consideration of the relative population of Wales it seems reasonable to expect consequential funding in the region of £5 billion over the construction of High Speed 2. That is why I ask the support of this House to strike a blow against inequality within our union and ensure Wales does not become victimised by High Speed Rail.