Plaid Cymru has called on the Labour Welsh Government to admit when they learnt about the reclassification of the Oxford-Cambridge line to “England and Wales” and which Welsh rail projects will now lose out on investment as a result of the recent decision.

In a letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Peredur Owen Griffiths MS referenced the new information which has revealed the project was previously classified as England only in the 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 editions of the UK Government’s Statement of Funding Policies. He asked for clarity on the following:

1) When did you become aware of the reclassification?

2) Do you agree that the previous classification (England only) which provided the Welsh government with consequential funding was indeed the correct classification?

3)What discussions have you held with Labour colleagues at Westminster and Treasury officials in order to press the case for the original classification to be reinstated?

4) Which rail projects in Wales will either lose out or not happen at all as a result of Wales being denied its share of funding from the Oxford to Cambridge link?

The Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Transport noted his disappointment at the Labour Welsh Government’s silence on the issue.

Peredur Owen Griffiths MS said: “The UK Labour Government’s decision to reclassify the Oxford to Cambridge rail link as an England and Wales project is one of the most egregious examples of the Westminster government working against the best interests of the people of Wales.

“Despite the project being previously classified as an England project in the 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 editions of the UK Government’s Statement of Funding Policies, meaning Wales received a consequential – Labour have moved the goal posts and is now choosing to deny Wales much needed investment.

“For all we know, this decision could result in Welsh rail projects losing out or not happen at all because of Wales being denied its share of funding.

“The Labour Welsh Government must be clear about when they were made aware of the decision, what consequences this decision will now have for Wales and for investment in Welsh rail projects, and how they plan to work with their colleagues in Westminster to correct this miss-classification. It’s high time their so-called ‘partnership in power’ starts delivering for Wales, instead of actively working against us.”