Reform suggests it will cancel new train stations in Wales

Most of the proposed stations are ‘not actually needed or wanted’, according to Reform’s leader in Wales, Dan Thomas, who would rather see the money spent on an M4 relief road

Reform’s leader in Wales has suggested the party would cancel some of the new train stations announced by the UK Government. Earlier this year Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised £14bn for seven new stations in Wales, including five between Cardiff and the Severn Tunnel Junction intended to ease congestion on the M4.

Stations at Llanwern, Newport West, Somerton, Magor / Undy, and Cardiff East are among the public transport improvements proposed as alternatives to the M4 relief road that was scrapped in 2019 by former Labour First Minister Mark Drakeford. The other two stations are planned for St Mellons (Cardiff Parkway) and for Deeside industrial park in north Wales.

But Reform UK’s Welsh leader Dan Thomas, who is a candidate in the Casnewydd Islwyn constituency, has now said most of the stations aren’t “needed or wanted” and that some of the £14bn should instead be used to revive the M4 relief road scheme. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.

During the Welsh leaders’ debate on Channel 4 News ahead of next month’s Senedd election, Mr Thomas promised to build the relief road and upgrades to the A470 and A55 in North Wales. When Labour First Minister Eluned Morgan asked how Reform would pay for it, he replied: “Well, you’ve set aside £14bn for building seven train stations.

“Most of those are not actually needed or wanted. We could easily divert money from that scheme to building the road. The money is there if the political will is there to build it.”

Asked by the Local Democracy Reporting Service if Reform was committed to building the stations, Mr Thomas did not answer directly and simply said: “Reform is the only party with a credible plan to build the M4 relief road, which will ease congestion and boost our economy.”

Monmouthshire Council had successfully lobbied for the station for the community of Magor and Undy. But earlier this year its deputy leader Paul Griffiths (Labour) voiced concerns that the Senedd election could affect the scheme.

Mr Griffiths warned: “There are politicians lining up at the next Senedd election, from a whole variety of parties, to undo that vision and to re-direct the investment back into mile upon mile of six-lane motorways around south Wales.

“If that happens we will be putting at risk the specific achievement of the [Magor and Undy station] but at risk also that whole vision of a metro across South East Wales. The stakes are high.”

Labour’s Casnewydd Islwyn candidate Jayne Bryant said it would not be as simple as diverting money to a relief road, adding: “That is money from the UK Government and I haven’t seen any evidence that could be used for a road… Some of that [investment] is not devolved.”

Ms Morgan has ruled out diverting any of the £14bn, despite Labour’s Newport Council leader Dimitri Batrouni recently stating “some sort of a relief road” would be required as well as public transport improvements.

The Green Party and Liberal Democrats have no plans for a relief road. The Conservatives have promised to build one. And the issue recently gained fresh impetus when Plaid Cymru said it would examine the case for a new road to relieve M4 congestion at Newport.

Plaid’s Sir Fynwy Torfaen candidate Matthew Jones disputed the new stations were being put at risk. He said: “Framing this as a choice between new rail stations and tackling congestion on the M4 is a false argument.

“Plaid Cymru wants to see progress on new stations such as Magor and Undy or improvements at Severn Tunnel Junction, and we also want a credible plan to address congestion around Newport. A modern transport network requires both.”

Under the current plans, construction work is not expected to start on the first stations until 2028.