MONDAY was a landmark day for travel in South and West Wales with the Intercity Express train making its debut on the Great Western Railway line between London and Swansea.

It was a very exciting morning, as the Secretary of State for Travel, Chris Grayling, and I met with key directors aboard one of the brand new engines at London Paddington train station to see the first of this £5.7 billion Hitachi fleet making its premier journey westwards.

These trains are some of the most modern in the world and will provide Welsh passengers with quicker, more frequent rail journeys and improved comfort. This fantastic news for rail users also demonstrates the UK Government’s investment in building bigger, better railway for Wales, delivering improved journeys for passengers on the most advanced new trains.

It is with great pride that Wales has the fastest growing economy in the UK outside of London since 2010, and only this week it was reported that unemployment figures in Wales are considerably lower than the UK wide average. This economic growth must be nurtured and encouraged by setting the correct conditions for a strong economy, such as improving connectivity between all parts of the United Kingdom. This fleet of superior, upgraded trains and the improved service which they provide will do just that, by facilitating more sufficient travel between Wales and the rest of the UK.

As we as a nation embark on a future outside of the European Union, projects such as this rail improvement programme will play an integral role in helping different parts of the UK to share in each other’s success and ultimately grasp the best opportunities in a post-Brexit Britain.

One of my primary aims as Secretary of State for Wales is to advance business opportunities within Wales and boost exports, both to other areas in the UK and to new markets across the world.

Improved infrastructure including enhanced rail travel, such as that which was introduced this week, will not only bolster the Welsh economy, but in turn generate jobs and growth within Wales as part of a prosperous and forward-thinking United Kingdom.