I am delighted to say that the UK Government has supported Plaid Cymru's call for the electrification of the Valleys railway lines.
In a statement at Westminster, UK Transport Secretary Philip Hammond committed the UK Government to work with the Welsh Government to electrify the Valleys lines.
As readers will know this campaign is one of my key pledges for the Assembly election and I'm delighted that Plaid will be making it a priority for a future Government.
I am very pleased that electrifying the Valleys lines is something Plaid Cymru has been able to put on the agenda. I have been making the case for electrifying the railways in the Valleys for several years. Creating a modern transport system is essential to the future economic growth of the Valleys and to meet our challenging carbon reduction targets.
Electrifying the Valleys lines will create a quicker, cleaner and more efficient mode of transport and will allow greater capacity as well. New and modern electric trains will allow us to carry more passengers.
It will form an attractive alternative to travelling by road and will build on the improvements that have already been provided by Plaid in Government for the Valley lines, such as the extended platforms, increased carriages and more frequent services. Progressing this issue will provide huge benefits for Cynon Valley and all of the South Wales Valleys. Implementing this plan could reduce Aberdare to Cardiff journey times to three quarters of an hour.
