Stop the Privatisation of South Wales Valley Lines

Friday 4th August 2017

Circular No. National Policy NP/129/17/BO

To the Secretary’s all Branches and Regional Council’s

Dear Colleagues,

STOP THE PRIVATISATION OF THE SOUTH WALES VALLEY LINES

I recently met with Transport for Wales (TfW) to go through the forthcoming Wales and Borders franchise.

The meeting was a sham as it was blatantly obvious to me that a decision had already been taken to give the private sector the South Wales Valley lines and the Hansford Review into Network Rail has now confirmed my belief that privatisation of Network Rail is the chosen option:

“The forthcoming South Wales Metro upgrade project will provide an interesting new example, as the successful third party bidder will take over, upgrade and extend transport infrastructure around Cardiff”.

Andy Thomas Managing Director of Network Rail’s Wales Route has also confirmed this stating “That under TfW and the Government, there would be a transfer of those assets and the running of those services.”

It is disgraceful that a Welsh Labour government is privatising Network Rail’s infrastructure and is acquiescing with a Westminster Tory government in the break-up of Network Rail.

It is disappointing that this privatisation is proposed despite the previously expressed opposition of our union and passengers and in the face of overwhelming public support for the renationalisation of the railways.

We have demanded that the Welsh government immediately stop the process to privatise the South Wales Valley lines and meet with me to discuss this as a matter of urgency.

I will write again following that meeting or any further developments

Yours sincerely

 
Mick Cash
General Secretary