Edwina Hart, Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
This was published under the 2011 to 2016 administration of the Welsh Government
Today I am pleased to announce that I am establishing a not for dividend wholly owned subsidiary company of the Welsh Government, as a key part of our approach to delivering a more effective integrated transport system in Wales. This company will, in its first instance, concentrate on providing advice and technical expertise to drive forward the linked projects of the Metro, specifying and procuring the next Wales and Borders Franchise and the Valleys Modernisation and Electrification Project.
The work of the company and of my department on these projects will be guided by a new Strategic Advisory Board made up of high level industry experts with expertise in integrated transport and engineering. Discussions are ongoing with a number of individuals as potential SAB Members and I will make an announcement on the make up of this Board very shortly.
This new company will enable us to bring in the technical and commercial expertise necessary to augment my department in delivering these exciting projects. While its focus will be on the three linked rail / integrated transport projects it will also be able to provide advice as appropriate on other significant transport interventions. While, in its first iteration, the company will concentrate on providing advice, its remit and role will be able to be extended, as appropriate, to take on the delivery of key aspects of transport delivery and is therefore in line with the commitment to "examine the feasibility of the Wales & Border rail franchise being run on a not-for-dividend basis, such as Glas Cymru.