Wales Left Out in New European Rail System - "Planes not Trains currently provide the choice for customers"

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 24th Oct 2007

Wales left out of the new European High Speed Rail network

Wales has been left out in accessing a new European High Speed network as towns and cities across the UK are about to take advantage of a new 'one-ticket' system that links into the Eurostar network and mainland Europe.

Michael German AM, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats in the National Assembly for Wales, was speaking after the launch of one ticket services by Eurostar in preparation for the new high speed service from London to Brussels, Paris and beyond.

He said, "It's extremely disappointing that Wales has been left out. We need fast, convenient and particularly this carbon -neutral mode of travel. At present the plane is beating the train as a transport choice for people in Wales wanting to travel to mainland Europe.

Mr. German added that after speaking with Eurostar it had become apparent that the reason Wales had been left out is because of difficulties in getting ticketing systems to 'talk to each other' between the company and other Train Companies.

"There appears to be a problem between getting Eurostar and First Great Western to hook-up. This doesn't distract form the fact we are going to have to wait. Meanwhile the airlines have a clear field and people in Wales have limited choices to other in the North of England."

In response to Mr. German's enquiries, Eurostar has said that they are keen to see one-ticket services from Wales into their high speed network.

"I'm reassured by their commitment to connect Wales into their services. I would urge First Great Western to work closely with them and quickly.

"We're seeing big investment from the budget airlines at Cardiff and Bristol to routes across Europe. They are heavily marketing their services to Welsh customers. They face little to no competition at present. We need a greener choice and that means access to Europe form Wales onto the high speed services."

DIWEDD

ENDS

NOTES:

• Read the announcement of Eurostar one-ticket services:

http://www.eurostar.com/UK/uk/leisure/travel_information/interlining.jsp

• List of town and cities including in the one-ticket system:

http://www.eurostar.com/pdf/interlining/journey_time_price.pdf