The ‘shameful neglect’ of rail infrastructure in North Wales by the UK Government has been highlighted in the Senedd this week.

The issue was raised by North Wales MS Carolyn Thomas and followed by former Transport Minister Ken Skates repeating his calls for rail to be fully devolved to the Welsh Government.

Members were told that Wales is being short-changed by £5bn.

While transport is devolved to Wales, responsibility for track, station infrastructure and signalling remains with the UK Government at Westminster. Over the past 20 years, Wales has had less than 2% of the £102bn that the UK Government has spent on improvements – despite having 5% of the population and 11% of the track miles.

During First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday, Mark Drakeford said: “Welsh Ministers take every opportunity to raise with the UK Government their shameful neglect of investment in rail infrastructure in north Wales.”

Ms Thomas told the Senedd: “The Tory UK Government are investing just under £100bn in HS2 rail infrastructure. If the Barnett formula were to be applied, Wales should be entitled to the population share of 5% which is £5bn. But, because the UK Government says that the line from London to Birmingham is going to benefit Wales, we are getting nothing.

“On top of this, a levelling-up funding bid was made to UK Government for investment on the Wrexham-Bidston line, which is desperately needed. But, again, the UK Government failed to deliver investment. All we are asking for is that Wales be treated fairly.”

The First Minister responded: “Wales is treated anything but fairly when it comes to rail investment by the UK Government. It is absolutely nonsensical to claim that because there is a new service from London to Birmingham somehow that means Wales has had its fair share of that investment.

“This Welsh Government, by contrast, goes on investing in rail services in north Wales. This year, we will increase services on the line between Wrexham and Bidston. Next year, we will provide new services between Liverpool and Llandudno. And, the year after that, there will be new services from the north to Cardiff. Where the UK Government treats Wales with contempt when it comes to rail investment, this government goes on investing – in the north and in the rest of Wales.”

Mr Skates, MS for Clwyd South, added: “The most straightforward way to address historic underfunding would be to devolve responsibilities and appropriate funding to the Welsh Government.”

Previously, Ms Thomas and Mr Skates called on the UK Government to urgently implement the recommendations, which included preparing a full strategic case for the upgrade and electrification of the North Wales mainline.