News

Rail powers row as Lib Dems demand full devolution — and warn Wales is being left behind

Published

3 months ago

January 19, 2026

RAIL powers are set to become the next front in the constitutional tug-of-war between Cardiff Bay and Westminster after the Liberal Democrats tabled an amendment to the UK Government’s Railways Bill calling for the full devolution of rail responsibility to Wales.

The party says Wales should be placed on the same footing as Scotland, with control over rail infrastructure, services and funding transferred to Welsh Ministers within two years. If selected for a Commons vote, the amendment would force MPs to take a clear position on whether Wales should hold the same levers Scotland already has — or continue under a system where key decisions remain reserved to Westminster.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson David Chadwick MP said Wales had been treated as an “afterthought” on rail investment for too long, and argued that projects based entirely in England have repeatedly been treated as “England and Wales” schemes for funding purposes — a classification he said has left Wales losing out on investment worth billions.

“This amendment is about fairness,” he said. “It would give Wales the same control Scotland already has and stop us losing out on billions of pounds for rail projects that don’t even touch Welsh soil.”

A split system with uneven power

Rail responsibility in Wales is currently divided. The Welsh Government oversees Transport for Wales and the Wales and Borders rail contract — the face of day-to-day passenger services — but most rail infrastructure decisions remain in Westminster hands through UK-controlled structures.

Critics say the arrangement leaves Wales stuck in the worst of both worlds: expected to deliver improvements, timetables and passenger experience while lacking full control over the track, long-term investment pipeline and major infrastructure funding.

Supporters of full devolution argue it is impossible to run a coherent transport strategy when responsibility is split — and that Wales is left dependent on consultation rather than authority.

Why it matters in West Wales

In Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, where communities are more reliant on a limited number of rail corridors, the impact of investment decisions made elsewhere can be felt more sharply than in big cities with multiple alternatives.

Campaigners regularly point to the practical issues affecting West Wales passengers: reliability problems, the vulnerability of services to disruption on single-track sections, limited frequency, and the knock-on effect when services are cancelled or delayed because the system has little spare capacity.

There is also a wider economic argument. Better rail connections can influence commuting options, tourism flows, access to education and training, and business confidence — but rural and coastal routes can struggle to win funding in competition with high-profile projects elsewhere.

The Liberal Democrats argue that if Welsh Ministers held the full set of powers — not just operational control of services but authority over infrastructure and long-term funding — Wales could plan upgrades around Welsh needs, rather than waiting for decisions that must fit UK priorities.

What the Railways Bill changes

The Railways Bill is intended to reshape the way Britain’s railways are run, with the creation of Great British Railways and a new model for rail governance.

The Liberal Democrats claim the reforms risk entrenching central control and leaving Wales in a weaker position — locked into a system where Welsh institutions are “consulted” but not in charge.

The party is urging Welsh Labour MPs to back the amendment, framing it as a straightforward equality issue: Wales should have what Scotland has, and not be asked to settle for less.

The Government’s likely response

Ministers are expected to argue that rail infrastructure operates as part of an integrated network and that a UK-level approach can provide stability, economies of scale and coordinated planning.

There is also a money-and-risk debate at the heart of rail devolution. Full control of infrastructure would mean full responsibility for maintenance, renewals and long-term liabilities — and critics warn that if devolution is not matched with a guaranteed and fair funding settlement, Wales could inherit responsibility without the resources to meet it.

Some Westminster voices have historically warned against a “keys but not the fuel” scenario — where Wales gains power on paper but is left with difficult choices if costs rise faster than the funding formula.

Supporters of devolution counter that the current system already exposes Wales to risk — the risk of being outvoted, overlooked, or structurally underfunded — and that true accountability requires the power to make and fund decisions at home.

Welsh Government stance

Welsh ministers have repeatedly argued that rail infrastructure should be devolved so that planning, investment and services can be aligned with Welsh transport priorities, including decarbonisation and better integration between rail and bus networks.

The Welsh Government’s case is that Wales can only fully deliver a joined-up transport strategy if it holds the whole system — not just the passenger contract but the infrastructure control needed to shape outcomes.

Whether the UK Government is prepared to go that far remains uncertain, particularly if ministers believe the Bill’s reforms are designed to strengthen national coordination.

The numbers and the politics

The Liberal Democrats have 72 MPs, but would need support from other parties — including Welsh Labour MPs — to have any realistic chance of forcing a change if the amendment is selected for a vote.

That sets up a politically awkward test for Labour MPs in Wales, caught between party discipline at Westminster and growing pressure to demonstrate that Wales will not be treated as a junior partner when national infrastructure decisions are made.

For Welsh Labour, the question is whether to back a clear-cut devolution demand — or to argue that the Government’s reforms will deliver benefits for Wales through new structures, improved coordination and a different approach to investment.

If it passes — and if it fails

If the amendment succeeded, the next battle would be over the detail: the funding formula, the transfer of assets and liabilities, and the timetable for transition. Supporters would see it as a step towards a rail system planned around Welsh priorities — including rural and coastal routes too often seen as an afterthought.

If it fails, the Liberal Democrats are likely to use the vote to sharpen their wider argument: that Wales is still being asked to accept second-tier powers — and that rail remains a symbol of a devolution settlement that does not yet match the reality of Welsh nationhood.

Either way, the amendment has ensured one thing: the Railways Bill will not pass quietly in Wales.

Crime

Police prepared for mass west Wales youth gathering after social media alerts

Published

18 minutes ago

April 19, 2026

Richard Youle - Local Democracy Reporter

SOUTH WALES POLICE were expecting a group of around 150 youths from Carmarthenshire who arrived en masse in Swansea, a meeting has heard.

News of the planned gathering had circulated on social media the day before and was picked up by officers monitoring online activity.

Superintendent Mark Kavanagh said it was one of two planned mass gatherings which the force had become aware of through social media.

“They had all jumped on the train in Llanelli,” he said. “We knew it was coming.”

He said police resources were put in place in advance, along with a dispersal order giving officers powers to move people on from a defined area.

Supt Kavanagh was speaking at a Swansea Council committee meeting, which heard about the work of the multi-agency Safer Swansea Partnership. The group aims to make Swansea a safer and more welcoming place for residents and visitors.

The partnership has six key priorities, including reducing neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour, which formed a major part of the discussion.

Supt Kavanagh said the overall trend in reducing anti-social behaviour in Swansea was “very, very positive”.

However, he added that police were concerned about some young people in their early to mid-teens who were “on the cusp of engaging in violent crime” and other criminality.

He said police in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot were keen to avoid the situation seen in Cardiff, where stabbings involving young people had, he said, become very common. A dedicated serious violence board had now been set up to help tackle the issue.

Turning to anti-social behaviour, South Wales Police imposed a 48-hour dispersal order covering much of Swansea city centre last week following a rise in incidents over the Easter holidays.

Supt Kavanagh said the criteria for such orders were very strict and that they were not used lightly.

He said that in the previous six weeks large gatherings of youths had led to two police officers being assaulted, with one requiring medical attention, while a 71-year-old man had also been pushed to the ground.

“We’ve had a serious assault between two young people which was filmed and then broadcast on social media,” he said.

Cllr Chris Holley said he understood the reason for dispersal orders but was concerned they could put people off visiting the city centre.

He added: “The vast majority of youngsters in this city are great.”

Supt Kavanagh said police officers, community support officers and neighbourhood beat managers were very good at building rapport with young people, and that officers were also trying to get the message out to parents to remain vigilant.

Speaking during the recent dispersal order, Acting Chief Inspector Andrew Hedley said: “We stress that it is only a small cohort of young people who are engaging in this anti-social behaviour, and we do not want to deter the others from coming to the town centre and enjoying all it has to offer.”

Cllr Mike White said anti-social behaviour data showed an overall reduction in Swansea in 2025-26, but questioned whether this was being felt across all neighbourhoods.

Supt Kavanagh said the downward trend had been seen in Townhill, Gorseinon, Eastside and Morriston, among other areas.

He said there were also very localised hotspots, including Penlan, where a parking dispute had caused problems for the authorities. Swansea beach and the area behind Clydach Library were also highlighted as areas of concern.

The superintendent said he was particularly pleased with the willingness of partner organisations to support an operation in the Dyfatty area of the city, which a report before the scrutiny programme committee said had led to arrests and drug warrants.

Senior council officers also outlined prevention work being carried out by their teams, including youth club activities, talks in comprehensive schools and targeted support for young people whose behaviour was at risk of escalating.

Reducing substance misuse and drug-related deaths in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot is another of the partnership’s six priorities, and a rise in the use of ketamine was noted at the meeting.

Matthew Rafferty, from the area planning board which coordinates substance use services in the two counties, said heroin was less of a concern than previously, but warned that “poly-drug” use — involving more than one substance at the same time — was becoming a significant issue.

He said ketamine use among people aged 16 to 24 nationally had increased by more than 200 per cent since 2013, and that prices of around £10 per gram in some areas were significantly lower than cocaine.

He added that users frequently underestimated ketamine’s harms.

Julie Davies, the council’s head of child and family services, said a range of support was available to parents and young people, including fast-tracking to a specialist community drug and alcohol team.

She said the level of need was clear.

“Specifically we are finding crack cocaine among our families in Swansea,” she said.

Community

Young cellist Seren Barrett wins Dyfed title

Published

1 hour ago

April 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Performer to appear at St Davids Cathedral Festival after impressing judges with a programme of Squire, Rachmaninov and Saint-Saëns

CELLIST Seren Barrett has been named Young Musician of Dyfed 2026 after winning the final at Rhosygilwen.

The talented young performer secured the title with what organisers described as a sumptuous programme featuring works by Squire, Rachmaninov and Saint-Saëns.

The announcement was made by St Davids Cathedral Festival at Rhosygilwen, which praised Seren’s winning performance and confirmed she will now appear at this year’s Cathedral Music Festival.

As part of her prize, Seren will give the winner’s recital on Tuesday (May 26) at 11:00am.

The recital will take place during the St Davids Cathedral Festival and is expected to give audiences another chance to hear the young musician following her success in the competition final.

The Young Musician of Dyfed title is regarded as an important platform for emerging talent in west Wales, showcasing some of the area’s most promising performers in front of festival audiences and supporters of classical music.

Tickets for Seren’s winner’s recital are available through the festival.

Award winner: Seren Barrett after being named Young Musician of Dyfed 2026 at Rhosygilwen (Pic: supplied).

Health

Patients in Wales waiting years for autoimmune diagnosis

Published

2 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Study led by Swansea University says long delays, limited specialist access and referral barriers are leaving some patients worse off than those elsewhere in the UK

PEOPLE in Wales with autoimmune and rheumatological conditions are facing long waits for diagnosis, poor access to specialist care and repeated obstacles when trying to secure treatment outside their local area, according to new research.

The study, led by Swansea University, examined the experiences of patients with illnesses including lupus and other autoimmune disorders. It drew on interviews, survey findings and Freedom of Information responses from health boards across Wales.

Researchers found that specialist provision remains limited in some parts of the country. Some patients reported having no access to a lupus specialist in their area, while FOI responses indicated there is only one NHS neuro-ophthalmologist in Wales for patients with neurological or visual problems linked to autoimmune disease.

The report also highlighted a lack of diagnostic services. None of the Welsh health boards that responded said they currently provide nailfold capillaroscopy, a test used to help identify conditions such as scleroderma.

Diagnosis in rheumatology can also be difficult because many of the conditions involved are complex and may develop gradually over time. Illnesses such as ankylosing spondylitis can be mistaken in the early stages for more common causes of pain, while autoimmune disorders often present with symptoms that overlap with other conditions.

Patients may require a combination of investigations before a diagnosis can be confirmed, including HLA-B27 testing, routine blood work, MRI scans, X-rays and detailed clinical assessment. Doctors also rely heavily on patient interviews to build up a picture of pain, stiffness, mobility and the wider pattern of symptoms.

There have also been local pressures on services in west Wales. At Withybush Hospital, delays were caused after the departure of a specialist consultant, and it took some time for that post to be filled. That consultant has now been replaced. However, it is understood the workload remained heavy, with the specialist working through a backlog of cases.

In some cases, patients may also feel rheumatology is treated as a lower-profile service. At Withybush Hospital, for example, the department has been based in a portacabin in the hospital car park, which it shares with the lymphoedema service — a setting that can give the impression that two important but often overlooked specialties are being accommodated on the margins of the wider hospital system.

Rheumatology also places a significant burden on the NHS because of the cost of long-term treatment and follow-up care, although that is not the main focus of the study. Biological drugs used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis can cost around £500 for a pack of four injections, according to local hospital sources. Patients on those medications often also require regular blood monitoring, consultant reviews, specialist nurse support and physiotherapy. The Herald understands that more than 1,000 patients in Pembrokeshire are currently being managed through this treatment pathway.

Researchers said patients were also being held back by the referral system. Under current NHS Wales rules, doctors must apply to their local health board for permission to send patients for treatment outside the area or across the border into England. The study said decision-making around those requests was often inconsistent and unfair.

One patient with systemic lupus erythematosus told researchers he waited two years for approval to be referred to England, despite believing the process should only have taken weeks.

The study found that patients in Wales often face longer journeys to diagnosis than elsewhere in the UK. In the sample reviewed by researchers, the average time from first symptoms to diagnosis was around 11 years, compared with around seven years across the UK.

Patients described the effect those delays had on their health. One woman in her 30s said requests to see a specialist in a neighbouring health board had been turned down, and that her lupus had worsened as a result. Another patient said access to care became more difficult after moving from England to Wales.

The research was led by Rupert Harwood of Swansea University Medical School, who himself lives with several autoimmune conditions.

His own experience reflects the wider concerns raised in the report. After developing visual symptoms in 2016, he was advised to see a neuro-ophthalmologist, but no such service was then available in Wales. A referral to England was not successfully made until 2025, and he is still waiting for an appointment.

Mr Harwood said the present system can leave patients at a disadvantage if they cannot afford to seek private treatment outside Wales.

The study concludes that while NHS Wales rheumatology teams provide high-quality care, patients in Wales face additional barriers compared with those in England.

Researchers are calling for a review of the out-of-area referral system, better access to specialist services and greater investment in diagnostic testing to reduce delays and improve outcomes.