Hannah Blythyn: I think the Member's absolutely right when he talks about the levels of recycling plastic bottles, in terms of, actually, one of the challenges now, actually, is the 'on-the-go' issue, not just littering, which is a contributing factor. But also I can't help but notice now, wherever I go, I actually do specifically look to see if a shopping precinct or a transport hub has recycling...
Hannah Blythyn: I'm shocked to hear the Member say that exiting the European Union is a good thing in terms of our environmental protections. Because of the threat of that—what I would say is that there's a very real chance that we risk having our protections rolled back, but also our powers rolled back, and the undermining of the legislation that we have in place. But as a Welsh Government, we remain, as...
Hannah Blythyn: I thank the Member for his contribution. If my geography is right, I believe I was in the lower Swansea valley on Saturday, if I dare say, at the only premier league team in Wales, but I have to add a caveat: I was there supporting the opposition. It was a draw, so I'll move swiftly on. On non-native species, I know you didn't ask a question, but you're right to raise Japanese knotweed and...
Hannah Blythyn: Diolch. I'm committed to action to reduce air pollution in Wales to support a healthier future for our communities, our natural environment and our country. This issue is rightly high on the agenda of Assembly Members and I welcome the cross-party consensus on the need to drive this agenda forward. When I first came to post, I made clear that delivering clean air in Wales is one of my key...
Hannah Blythyn: Our national planning policy document, 'Planning Policy Wales', has been rewritten and restructured around the principles of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The revised document now contains a dedicated section on air quality and soundscape, and this consultation on 'Planning Policy Wales' closes on 18 May. I will establish the clean air Wales programme to consider...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you. I welcome the Member's contribution, and also, in particular, he came up with a number of important suggestions, which is why, I think, there's such a consensus and this is such an important issue. I would encourage all Members to feed into the plans and the consultation to make sure that we do include, as you rightly say, the importance of taking people with us. That's why we...
Hannah Blythyn: Can I thank you for your number of questions? I know that this is an issue that you are very passionate about and your party is very supportive of taking action on. In terms of—just on the legislative issue, I made it clear in my statement, and I hope I can make it clear again, that it's definitely something under consideration, and that's not to delay it, but that is just because I want to...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you for clarifying that. [Laughter.] But you're absolutely right about the importance of—. I go back to what David Melding said about the importance of taking people with us, that we're not bringing things in like reducing speed limits just to—. I think the comments—it would probably be on Facebook or a Facebook forum—would be that it would be to raise revenue from catching...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Mike Hedges, for your contribution. I think we raised the issues around Hafod and topography and traffic just last week, around a similar time, in this Chamber. In terms of clean air zones, all that information is contained in the consultation, and it will be the responsibility of the local authorities to look at how they can reduce access of the most harmful vehicles into those...
Hannah Blythyn: I thank the Member for his good luck wishes there. To deal with the first thing in terms of the 50 mph temporary speed limit between Upper Boat and Pontypridd, it's from the Upper Boat roundabout on to the A4058 roundabout at Pontypridd; it's exactly 4.2 km. So, some of these areas are actually—particularly the one I'm most familiar with, in Deeside—an extension of perhaps where there...
Hannah Blythyn: The last point you made there goes back to how it's absolutely key, if we are going to get where we need to be and where we want to be on this, that we do work collectively and collaboratively on it. I really liked the idea of the play streets. I think I have seen one in Cardiff before on the news in terms of them shutting off the streets and it's definitely something perhaps we could...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you. Can I thank Suzy Davies for her questions? I know that you've got a keen interest in this as the regional Assembly Member. The point in terms of the consultation and directly contacting individuals like care homes and schools is a really, really good point, and I'll take that on board and speak to officials about how we can do that. In terms of Port Talbot, you're absolutely right...
Hannah Blythyn: I thank the Member for his contributions. You're absolutely right about the need to cross-reference in terms of our ambitions and aspirations in terms of active travel. That's why we're only going to progress in this area if we truly work across Government. That's why I've been working very closely with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport, making sure that there are those...
Hannah Blythyn: The Member is absolutely right in terms of the importance of a cross-Government approach, and there was a wry smile, I think, from colleagues over here when you were talking about if we had that replaced with the alternative, then your constituents wouldn't have to sit in the congestion on the A470. I think I said in previous responses that that's why I'm looking very closely with...
Hannah Blythyn: I thank the Member for her questions. I think in terms of things like invest-to-save and the clean air plan and the clean air zones, I think Cardiff council is one of the areas that has been identified that is in exceedance, and as I said to your colleague Julie Morgan, I've been working, and officials have been liaising closely with Cardiff council on that. So, these are all things that...
Hannah Blythyn: Can I thank my north Wales colleague for his questions and his points there? The air quality monitoring assessment centre for Wales—the formation of the centre is to ensure decisions on tackling pollution are evidence based and that the associated actions are prioritised to maximise public health and well-being, and that does need to be in line with our obligations of the Well-being of...
Hannah Blythyn: I thank the Member for her questions, and I know this is an area that we've had previous discussions about and I'm familiar with your concerns. We know that apart from Cardiff, Caerphilly to Hafodyrynys is the one area within exceedance and has been issued with a directive to actually come in to see us, and officials are working closely with Caerphilly council. The Member will be aware that...
Hannah Blythyn: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. The Member raises a number of important points there in terms of incentivising people and, actually, the importance of working in parallel that is open to us, tackling poor air quality to reduce emissions, reducing speeds without actually looking at how we use modern technology to support that modal shift in transport and electric vehicles. I look forward...
Hannah Blythyn: Diolch, Llywydd. Wales is a world leader in recycling. We are best in the UK, second in Europe, and third in the world. This is a direct result of policies made in Wales. We have invested heavily in kerbside recycling infrastructure and have long-held statutory targets for local authorities, with fines if they're not met. I am proud of our record and the level of commitment to reducing,...
Hannah Blythyn: But, there is still much more to do. We have seen a shift in culture in terms of people sorting their waste and recycling at home, but this behaviour is not reflected when people are out and about, even when recycling bins are available. I am clear that our on-the-go recycling levels need to improve. In recent months, we have seen a rise in the public consciousness and community action when...
