Ken Skates: Well, can I thank Mick Antoniw for his question and also for recognising the remarkable success of Cardiff Airport since the Welsh Government purchased that particular asset? The aim, of course, the long-term strategy—which was outlined in the master plan during the summer—is to grow the airport to accommodate 3 million passengers annually. I'd also like to put on record my thanks to the...
Ken Skates: I've held discussions with airport executives myself, and my officials maintain regular contact with Cardiff Airport, and they're continuing to work closely with Flybe. All flights to and from the airport are operating normally and, of course, the sale of the company is just one option that the company is considering.
Ken Skates: We are considering a particular project in Callaghan Square. The Member, I'm sure, will appreciate the value of that particular land has increased since it was acquired by Welsh Government, and we're working to make sure that it is put to best use for the community and that we gain maximum return on the investment for the taxpayer. I think that, as part of the development of the centre of...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Julie Morgan for her question? The issue of gender imbalance, actually, was on my mind just recently, but with regard to another part of Wales, when discussing a particular deal, in north Wales, where, again, I do not believe there is fair balance in terms of men and women as leaders of councils or, indeed, on councils as a whole. The economic action plan makes inclusive growth...
Ken Skates: With Government funding flowing to the Cardiff capital region city deal, the region continues to identify, prioritise and agree projects and interventions that will drive sustainable economic growth, and benefit the region as a whole.
Ken Skates: First and foremost, it's important to recognise that reform is needed, legislation is required, and we'll be bringing this forward presently. Clearly, I was disappointed to learn of the changes to the services that the Member has outlined. Each local authority, of course, is responsible for determining which services it supports and for using its own budgets, or our allocations from the bus...
Ken Skates: I'm afraid I will have to write to the Member with details of what discussions have taken place specifically with regard to the T2 service. I am pleased to say that we are utterly committed to improving and extending the TrawsCymru services across Wales. They have proven to be incredibly popular, and the pilot scheme that has seen free transport provided at weekends has proven to be...
Ken Skates: Well, this is an incredibly important issue right across Wales, and, I think, especially in Mid and West Wales. We continue to engage with and to fund local authorities to enable them to provide local bus services, and we also work very closely with them on a number of fronts to further improve bus services, particularly in Mid and West Wales.
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question? I highlighted to Nick Ramsay how we intend to spend, specifically, £15 million of the nearly £200 million available for station improvements specifically on improving access for disabled people. I will be writing to Members as soon as we have put together the tool that will measure which stations should be prioritised. I recognise that a number of...
Ken Skates: Yes. I'd like, first of all, to thank the Member for her question and recognise her keen interest in this area. I can confirm that the intention is to continue to improve the experience of people with sight loss who wish to use our public transport system. I'm also pleased to say that provisions such as assisted travel audio guides, the orange wallet scheme, mobility scooters and assistance...
Ken Skates: Well, as a Government, we are absolutely committed to improving access to public transport that removes barriers to travel, that promotes independent living, and which empowers vulnerable groups to participate in society. This is a cornerstone of 'Taking Wales Forward', which sets out our ambitions to build a united, connected and sustainable Wales.
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question? And I'll also consider his request to become a mystery shopper for the franchise. [Laughter.] I'm delighted to say that Abergavenny station will be a station that will benefit from investment to make it step free to improve access for all people. It's quite a contrast that, in the last 15 years, only about £600,000 was spent on improving stations...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for the campaign that she has led for improved rail services for her constituents, and can I also thank the Member for agreeing to meet with me recently to discuss local concerns about the proposals for a major new road linking the A48 to the M4? The issue that the Member raises concerns the availability of rolling stock. Now, the Vale of Glamorgan line will see an...
Ken Skates: I think the Member raises a very important point, and it's important because, in the recent franchise arrangements, there were very few metrics by which we were able to test the performance of the operator. In this franchise agreement, a key measure will of course be whether or not passenger numbers are increasing, but we'll also be looking at operational performance, which includes more...
Ken Skates: Well, my aim is for the Wales and borders rail service to be the best passenger rail service in the UK within the next 15 years. The new agreement will measure success by collating data on passenger numbers, feedback from passenger surveys, along with measuring passenger time lost from disruption.
Ken Skates: I was sorry to hear the Member respond in such an agitated and uncomradely way. I think it's important to recognise that on many issues—[Interruption.] On many issues, I think we would agree. And, on the particular issue of rail investment, there is no difference, I'm sure, across the Chamber, in our views that more resource should be spent in Wales. But the Member has already highlighted...
Ken Skates: Let's just get a few things straight. The solution at Crewe hub is absolutely essential; this is not a side issue. If the solution at Crewe is not beneficial to north Wales, then that will lead to HS2 having an adverse impact on the north of the country as well as on the south. Now, Wales has already received additional funding over the current spending review period as a result of the...
Ken Skates: Well, can I first welcome the Member to this new position? It's very good to see a fellow north Walian with an economy brief, and I'm delighted that one of his first actions coming into the role was to welcome the announcement of the preferred route for the third Menai crossing, a particularly important infrastructure programme serving his own constituency. His predecessor in the role was...
Ken Skates: I should reiterate again that the 40 miles per hour—or 50, when 50 is introduced—is designed to prevent stop-start traffic. The particular proposal that the Member has suggested I think merits further investigation. I'll certainly ask my transport officials to look at that particular proposal. There are a number of solutions that can be deployed on any given road designed to reduce and...
Ken Skates: Well, we always look at the evidence from the—. It's all computerised, essentially, and this is not carried out by a human being who randomly increases or reduces the speed limit. This is a complex tool that ensures that traffic moves smoothly. One of the major contributing factors to, if you like, phantom traffic jams is people moving from stop to a high speed and then stopping suddenly...
