UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan have announced a long-term commitment to transform rail infrastructure across Wales, marking what they describe as a generational investment following years of underfunding. The joint plan between the UK and Welsh Governments is expected to support around 12,000 jobs and forms part of a broader strategy to drive economic growth, improve connectivity and deliver national renewal.
The Prime Minister has formally endorsed the vision for Welsh rail developed by Transport for Wales, confirming that it will serve as the framework for a pipeline of future rail projects. Both governments have committed to working together through the Wales Rail Board to accelerate delivery. The programme builds on the Welsh Government’s previous £1.1 billion investment in upgrading and electrifying the Core Valley Lines and £800 million spent on a new rail fleet, with further significant funding pledged in the latest Spending Review.
As part of the initial phase, nearly £500 million has been earmarked to support seven new railway stations across Wales. The planned stations include Magor and Undy, Llanwern, Cardiff East, Newport West, Somerton, Cardiff Parkway and a new station serving Deeside Industrial Park in North Wales. Work on several of these stations is set to begin later this year, with Magor and Undy expected to be the first completed. Cardiff Parkway, linked to a wider regeneration and business park development, is projected to serve around 800,000 passengers annually and support approximately 6,000 jobs.
The wider rail investment pipeline, currently estimated at up to £14 billion over time, includes 43 schemes at various stages of development. The long-term benefits are projected to generate £6.3 billion in wider economic gains, create millions of additional rail journeys annually, reduce car use significantly and cut carbon emissions by around 55,000 tonnes each year. The programme is also expected to create more than 1,000 permanent jobs and over 6,000 construction roles, alongside thousands of indirect jobs supported by improved transport links.
Funding allocations from the 2025 Spending Review include at least £445 million for rail enhancements in Wales, covering infrastructure upgrades, development funding and improvements to the Core Valley Lines. Additional investments will increase service frequencies in the Cardiff area, upgrade the South Wales Relief Lines, modernise Cardiff Central Station and enhance the Wrexham–Liverpool line, including improvements near Padeswood and Buckley to boost capacity and freight efficiency. Safety and accessibility upgrades are also planned along the North Wales Coast Mainline, with construction expected to be completed by 2027.
Leaders from both governments emphasised that this partnership demonstrates what can be achieved through coordinated action, aiming to deliver faster, more reliable rail services, unlock economic opportunities across Wales and ensure long-term improvements in transport connectivity for communities and businesses alike.
