Rail disruption will be worth it promises Welsh Secretary

Alun Cairns will see work on the Severn Tunnel before speaking to business leaders

The Welsh Secretary will tell business leaders that electrifying the main railway line from London to South Wales continues to be one of the UK Government's biggest priorities.

Alun Cairns is expected to renew the pledge to complete the project, which has been hit by delays and burgeoning costs, during a speech to the Institute of Directors in Cardiff.

He'll also see for himself work to prepare the Severn Tunnel for electrification. The work has led to the closure of the tunnel for six weeks.

The Welsh Secretary is expected to tell the IOD that the disruption caused by the work in the tunnel will be worth it.

Network Rail has been blamed for the delays and for a near doubling of the costs of electrifying the line. Credit: PA

The visit to the tunnel will highlight that that part of the project is on time and on budget.

But there's been concern about the wider scheme after the timescale for electrifying the line from London to Cardiff slipped from 2017 to 2019 and for electrification as far as Swansea from 2018 to as late as 2024.

Network Rail has been blamed for the delays and for a near doubling of the costs from £1.6bn to £2.8bn, not including the stretch between Cardiff and Swansea.

The Welsh Secretary is also expected to use his speech to highlight other transport projects the UK Government says will benefit Wales.