When the National Assembly for Wales was established in 1999, John Prescott had a raft of responsibilities, including devolution and transport. One scheme under application at the time was the Welsh Highland Railway, running for 25 miles from Caernarfon to Porthmadog – an initiative of the Ffestiniog Railway.
The National Assembly came into being on 1 July. The various powers devolved to it came into effect and replaced the Westminster authority and procedures.
Some people in Eryri (Snowdonia) were strongly opposed to the Welsh Highland Railway. But on 30 June, the day before the assembly came into existence, Prescott authorised it through an order under the Transport and Works Act.
Without that approval, there was every likelihood that the assembly would, at the least, have delayed this excellent project for its full consideration, and quite possibly have refused it.
