RAIL union Aslef welcomed news yesterday that the next step towards a publicly run railway for Wales could be taken as soon as this summer.
Welsh Transport Minister Edwina Hart vowed to press on full steam ahead so that a “road map” for a new not-for-profit company was in place before the assembly went on holiday.
Questions have been raised about the Welsh government’s capacity to run the railways after years of a brain drain under privatisation.
But Ms Hart told AMs on the Welsh Assembly enterprise and business committee on Wednesday that there had been “significant interest” from key figures within the rail industry.
The HS2 debacle exposes what happens when public infrastructure is handed to private contractors – especially when set against China’s state-led high-speed rail success, says CARLOS MARTINEZ
On the eve of the 157th Trades Union Congress, MICK WHELAN, general secretary of Aslef, the train drivers’ union, celebrates victory in his campaign to get dignity for drivers at work


