The UK Government has announced a sweeping, long-term commitment to modernise Wales’ rail network, backing seven new stations and a pipeline of major

upgrades expected to support around 12,000 jobs across the country.

The plans, jointly championed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan, mark what both governments describe as a “generational reset” after decades of underinvestment in Welsh rail infrastructure.

At the heart of the announcement is the UK Government’s formal endorsement of the Transport for Wales vision for the future of rail. That vision will now shape a long-term pipeline of projects, overseen by a new Wales Rail Board bringing together the UK Government, Welsh Government, Transport for Wales and Network Rail.

Seven new stations across Wales

Almost £500 million committed at the latest Spending Review will fund the construction of seven new railway stations, delivering a major boost for commuters and the construction sector alike. The new stations are planned for:

- Magor and Undy

- Llanwern

- Cardiff East

- Newport West

- Somerton

- Cardiff Parkway

- Deeside Industrial Park

Five of these stations – recommended by the Burns Commission to ease congestion on the M4 corridor – will improve rail access between Cardiff, Newport and the Severn Tunnel Junction. Work is due to begin later this year, with Magor and Undy expected to be the first to open.

In North Wales, a new station at Deeside Industrial Park will support growth along the Wrexham–Liverpool line, improving access to jobs and strengthening cross-border connections.

A catalyst for jobs and regeneration

One of the flagship projects is Cardiff Parkway, a long-proposed station near St Mellons that is finally set to move forward. Designed to serve around 800,000 passengers a year, the station will anchor a wider business park development expected to unlock around 6,000 jobs.

The UK Government has agreed a funding and delivery approach with the Welsh Government and private investors, paving the way for construction once final business cases are complete.

Alongside new stations, the investment builds on more than £1.9 billion already committed by the Welsh Government to electrify and upgrade the Core Valley Lines and introduce a brand-new train fleet.

“Getting Britain building again”

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said: “For too long, Wales has been let down by a UK government unwilling to do the hard yards and build the future they deserve. 

This government is turning the page on historic dither and delay with seven new stations, thousands of jobs, and a generational commitment to build a rail network fit for Wales’ future. 

This isn’t tinkering nor sticking plasters. This is investment for the long term - and change communities will feel. This is putting Wales on the front foot and getting Britain building again.” 

First Minister, Eluned Morgan, said:  “We are now in an unprecedented position to deliver the next chapter of transformation for rail services in Wales. We have secured long-term commitments to key projects and a renewed ambition for our rail network.

Changes of this scale don’t happen overnight but they do happen when there is vision, determination, and cooperation. We’ve already proved that with the Core Valley Lines, and we are beginning to see the same momentum with Network North Wales. When you have the ambition, the commitment and the will, real progress follows - and we have all three.

Today marks another important milestone for rail as Transport for Wales publishes an exciting and essential pipeline for future investment. This includes projects the length and breadth of our nation. We warmly welcome the UK Government’s support for these plans and for their commitment to putting right the injustice of Welsh rail underfunding left by the previous government.

In the near term, I’m pleased to see backing for the essential work at Padeswood and Buckley. This will transform journeys between Wrexham and Liverpool, unlock economic opportunities across north Wales, and allow plans for the new Deeside station to accelerate. I also welcome the UK Government’s support for Cardiff Parkway, and we remain committed to working closely with all partners to complete the full business case and development plans”.

Beyond stations: a nationwide rail upgrade

The wider pipeline of rail schemes set out in Transport for Wales’ vision includes up to 43 projects at various stages of development, with an estimated total cost of up to £14 billion over time. While future funding will be confirmed at later Spending Reviews, the long-term benefits are expected to be significant:

- £6.3 billion in wider economic benefits

- Up to 13.3 million additional rail journeys each year

- 3.8 million fewer car journeys annually

- 55,000 tonnes of CO₂emissions avoided each year

Key projects already funded include upgrades to the South Wales Relief Lines, major improvements at Cardiff Central station, capacity enhancements west of Cardiff, and safety and service upgrades along the North Wales Coast.

In North Wales, improvements near Padeswood and Buckley will unlock two trains per hour on the Wrexham–Liverpool line, while new freight arrangements will ease congestion and improve reliability.

A long-term reset for Welsh rail

UK ministers say the programme will directly create more than 1,000 permanent jobs, support over 6,000 construction roles, and underpin thousands more across the Welsh economy by improving access to work, education and investment.

For both governments, the message is clear: this is not a short-term fix, but a generational commitment to finally put Welsh rail on an equal footing — and to show what can be achieved when the UK and Welsh Governments work together. Photo by Seb Tom Sargent, Wikimedia commons.