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"WAG Should take control of Railway Stations" says Randerson
August 27, 2010 10:13 AM
a welsh train
Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Minister and Cardiff Central AM Jenny Randerson has called upon the Welsh Assembly Government "to push for the powers to take control of Wales' railway stations.
"My view on devolution is that where Wales can do things better we should have that power. Currently railway stations are a postcode lottery, within my own constituency Cardiff Central is one of busiest stations in the UK but lacks the facilities of a Grade 1 station and is perceived as an unsafe place.
"The accessibility of some stations is poor and other stations are in good shape only because of the hard work of volunteers.
"In a recent 'passengerfocus' survey regarding Arriva Trains Wales only 39% of respondents gave the highest approval ratings for station facilities and services compared to 88% for the overall journey
"Unfortunately thanks to Wales' convoluted legislative process this would require an amendment to the 2006 Government of Wales Act. I will obviously be pushing for this.
"WAG gets plaudits every time it throws a little bit of money at a particular station but it should want the responsibility of making sure all of Wales's railway service is accessible and an experience which encourages people off the roads. It is frustrating to have to pester Network Rail and Arriva Trains Wales for every little improvement."
ENDS
Notes:
The satisfaction Report mentioned is 'National Passenger Survey Spring 2010 ' produced by Passenger Focus
Scope to devolve legislative powers to the Assembly in relation to railway services (from the Members Research Service)
'Highways and Transport' is listed as a 'Field' in Schedule 5 of the Government of Wales Act 2006[1] ("the 2006 Act"). This means that the National Assembly for Wales can seek Measure-making powers over highways and transport through Legislative Competence Orders or receive those powers through specific clauses in Acts of Parliament. Two 'Matters' have so far been included in 'Field' 10, neither of which relate directly to the maintenance and running of railway stations. As the provision and regulation of railway services, apart from giving financial assistance in certain cases, is specified as an excepted matter it is highly unlikely that a Legislative Competence Order could be taken forward.
As the same exceptions would apply under Schedule 7 to the 2006 Act it would not be possible for the Assembly to gain full legislative powers in relation to the running and maintenance of stations even in the event of a 'yes' vote in a referendum on further powers.
For the Assembly to receive full legislative powers in this area therefore, an amendment would be required to the 2006 Act to remove the exceptions that currently exist under 'Field' 10 of Schedule 5 and 'Subject' 10 of Schedule 7.
Contact/ Cyswllt: Andrew Sherwood 02920 898324
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