THE South Wales Metro project will have to be scaled back if funding originally offered by the European Union is not forthcoming, a Welsh minister has said.

Speaking in the Senedd, economy and infrastructure secretary Ken Skates said the Welsh Government remained committed to the project, which will see a network of trains, trams and buses linking communities across the region.

He said loss of European funding as a result of the vote for the UK to leave the EU could put the scheme at risk.

Saying the EU had previously committed to contribute about 20 per cent of the project’s total cost, Mr Skates called on the UK Government to honour its promise to make up any funding lost to Wales as a result of the Brexit vote.

“We have maintained discussions with the rail industry since the referendum and there remains substantial interest in delivering the next franchise and South Wales Metro,” he said.

“However, it is clear that it will be difficult to deliver the same scale of transformation without a guarantee from the UK Government that funding will be available.”

Mr Skates added: “If this does not happen it could mean revising the project." And he said this could lead to a reduction in services or stations.

First minister Carwyn Jones had said before last month’s referendum that a vote to leave the EU would mean the metro project would have to be scrapped.

Mr Skates also said it was important that the service was affordable for passengers to benefit those living in more remote communities who may currently be unable to find work as a result of the cost of travel.

“It is essential the development of the Metro should drive social mobility and allow people to access quality jobs,” he said.

Contracts for the development of the Metro are set to be awarded in spring 2018, with building work to begin in 2019.