Conservatives demand fair share from £6.6bn Oxford-Cambridge line as HS2 dispute continues

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have accused the Labour-run Welsh Government of failing to stand up for Wales over rail infrastructure funding, criticising what they call a “deafening silence” on the long-running HS2 consequentials dispute and a lack of action over a newly announced £6.6 billion rail project in England.

The Oxford-Cambridge rail corridor project, confirmed by Westminster as part of wider infrastructure investment plans, will not deliver any direct funding for Wales, reigniting debate over how major transport schemes in England are classified for funding purposes.

Although transport is devolved, UK Government does not provide Barnett formula consequential funding to Wales for rail projects it deems to benefit England and Wales jointly—despite HS2 not passing through Welsh territory.

Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, Sam Rowlands MS, said the current system is “clearly unfair” and accused Labour ministers in Cardiff Bay of failing to push back.

“We’ve not heard a peep from the Welsh Labour Government on HS2 consequentials since the election,” he said. “Now, with this rail project highlighting further unfairness in funding, it is clear that the Welsh Labour Government has no sway with their counterparts in Westminster.”

Mr Rowlands added: “We were promised two governments working in partnership to deliver what is best for Wales. Instead, we’ve had broken promise after broken promise, leaving Wales shortchanged on critical infrastructure investment.”

The Conservatives reiterated their call for Wales to receive its fair share of HS2-linked funding, and argued that any new funding arising from major projects in England should be distributed transparently and fairly.

“To ensure transparency and effective use of resources, this funding must be allocated directly to Network Rail to deliver for the needs of people in Wales,” Mr Rowlands said.

The Welsh Government has previously argued that HS2 should be classed as an “England-only” project for the purposes of funding allocation, potentially unlocking billions in additional investment for Wales. However, no change in classification has been agreed.

The Herald has approached the Welsh Government for comment.

A 22-YEAR-OLD man from Pembrokeshire has been ordered to pay £3,000 in compensation after he knocked a bystander unconscious and left him bleeding in the street during a violent incident in Tenby town centre.

Oscar Allen, of The Ridgeway, Penally, launched the unprovoked attack on Jason Page after Mr Page intervened over concerns about how Allen was speaking to his girlfriend in Bank Lane on the evening of November 25, 2023.

“The victim could see the way in which the situation was escalating,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

As Mr Page approached the couple, Allen struck him in the face with a single punch, knocking him unconscious. When police arrived, they found Mr Page lying unresponsive on the ground, covered in blood.

“The defendant left the individual in an extremely vulnerable position – this was general abandonment,” added Ms Vaughan.

Mr Page was left with a fractured jaw that required the insertion of a titanium plate. He also suffered a loss of earnings totalling £4,000 as a result of the injury.

A victim impact statement read to the court described the lasting effect of the assault.

“It’s had a lasting impact on my everyday life,” said Mr Page. “Social situations are now a huge struggle for me, and this is affecting not just me, but my family too, as I’m reluctant to go out.

“I no longer feel like the person I was before this happened. It’s a nightmare which I have to deal with daily.”

Allen pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Mr Page, causing grievous bodily harm.

Defence solicitor John Allchurch told the court: “This was a single punch that caused serious injury.”

Allen was sentenced to 12 months’ custody, suspended for two years. He must complete 250 hours of unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was also ordered to pay £3,000 in compensation, a £187 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.

Presiding magistrate Mary Smith warned Allen that he was on thin ice.

“You’ve come very close to going to prison today,” she said. “It’s time to sort yourself out, because if you put a foot wrong in the next two years, you’ll find yourself in custody.”

A FORMER South Wales Police staff member has been jailed for leaking sensitive police information to her drug dealer boyfriend.

Lucy Langmead, 44, from Pontypridd, accessed confidential material from the force’s computer system and passed it to her partner, Daniel Cozens, 37, during their relationship.

An investigation by South Wales Police’s Anti-Corruption Unit revealed that Langmead accessed and disclosed details about Cozens’ associates between May 2021 and February 2022. She also unlawfully viewed information relating to her own family and other contacts between May 2020 and March 2022.

Both were arrested and later pleaded guilty to a range of offences, including conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Langmead admitted 13 offences of unauthorised access to computer material and five counts of unlawfully disclosing personal data. Cozens admitted being concerned in the supply of Class C drugs (benzodiazepines and pregabalin), and possession of Class B cannabis.

At Cardiff Crown Court on Monday (June 3), Langmead was sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison. Cozens received a sentence of one year and eight months.

Langmead resigned from the force in May 2022.

Chief Superintendent Bella Rees, Head of Professional Standards, said: “Police officers and staff have access to personal and private information, and it is both a public expectation and a legal requirement that this information is treated in the strictest confidence.

“Accessing police systems for personal reasons is an abuse of position and, as this case demonstrates, will be dealt with robustly.”