UK's newest railway will not have new trains

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 5th Jun 2003

Welsh Liberal Democrats have discovered that the first users of Wales' newest passenger railway will be travelling in ageing rolling stock.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan let the cat out of the bag under questioning from South Wales East AM Mike German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, at question time today.

Speaking afterwards Mr German said: "It is clear to me that the newest railway in the UK, which is already running late, will now have to put up with old rolling stock dragged from somewhere else in the UK.

"Ministers have been keen to hide this fact, but the First Minister's answers today have let it slip. Putting shiny new trains on the shiny new track is not a priority for this Labour government.

"Millions of pounds of taxpayers money has been invested in re-opening this line, which I welcome, but there is a real danger that mouldy old trains will not prove an attractive option for potential passengers."

Mr German asked whether the new line would have new trains. Mr Morgan said: "People care if the train is on time, clean and comfortable. I'm not sure they are concerned about the date of birth of the stock itself."

Mr German added: "I'm very keen to support recycling, but I'm disappointed that passengers on this newly re-opened railway line will have to travel in recycled rolling stock. This line could be a great success, but Labour is failing to go the extra mile to deliver a World Class service to the Gwent Valleys."

Notes:

The exchange took place at First Minister's Questions in the Senedd Siambr this afternoon.