Ken Skates: As a Member of a constituency where people look south to your constituency, they look south-west to Owen Paterson's constituency, north to Wrexham and Delyn, east to Chester, and west into my colleague's area of Wales, I think it's absolutely essential that we respect that economic development sees no boundaries. But there is also a need for governance arrangements that are very clear. My...
Ken Skates: Yes, of course.
Ken Skates: When Labour were in Government, I think it's fair to say that investment in rail was substantial, but there is always room for a further investment, and that's why Welsh Government is investing in the metro in south Wales—more than £700 million—and that's why we are investing in the north Wales metro with initial seed funding of £50 million. I would urge the Member to support, not...
Ken Skates: Diolch, Llywydd. Can I start by expressing my appreciation to Members for the opportunity to respond to this debate today and also put on record my thanks to committee members in particular for their insightful report, including the Chair of the committee, Russell George, who I agree has shown an admirable degree of balance and objectivity in leading this inquiry? I welcome both the...
Ken Skates: Yes. Can I thank Lee Waters for his question and say, yes, potentially, active travel would fall within Transport for Wales, but it would also require additional skills in order to make sure that active travel solutions are fit for purpose and also take account of the door-to-door nature of many journeys that people take?
Ken Skates: Well, the bidders have all been invited to offer the best solutions, not just in terms of value for money, but the best solutions in terms of being able to connect communities and connect employment hubs. Those solutions could combine different forms of travel, but it's essential that, as the design of the metro commences, communities and stakeholders do form part of a partnership approach,...
Ken Skates: Yes, I've taken a great degree of interest in Mersey Travel's schemes and the way that they integrate ticketing and ensure that there is a very transparent and sure way of paying for services. Transport for Wales is going to be tasked with ensuring that there is integrated ticketing and affordable, accessible transport for all, and a fares regime that is also fair. I would agree with the...
Ken Skates: Yes, a significant number of questions, but I'll try to address all of them. First of all, with regard to the growth bid, of course we'll be scrutinising each of the proposals during the negotiation stage. I'd very much welcome, as I said in my statement, the creation of regional transport authorities to ensure that we've got integrated transport planned on a regional and—in the case of...
Ken Skates: Can I thank John Griffiths for his comments and his questions? It was remiss of me not to say that we'll also soon have the 'made in Wales' stamp on CAF trains, just as we have a 'made in Wales' stamp on Airbus wings, on Raytheon products. We will have 'made in Wales' stamped all over trains, planes and automobiles for the global market very soon. I think that's important in developing an...
Ken Skates: Can I thank David Rowlands for his comments and questions? David is absolutely right: very soon we'll be seeing a 'made in Wales' stamp on Aston Martins, we'll see a 'made in Wales' stamp on TVRs, we'll see a 'made in Wales' stamp on the rail network, and potentially, in the longer term, on a fully integrated public transport network across our country. There'll be no delay in appointing the...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Mick Antoniw for various questions and the fact that he's welcomed the siting of the headquarters of Transport for Wales in Pontypridd? The Member is absolutely right that there is huge potential for the headquarters of Transport for Wales to act as a catalyst for regeneration in Pontypridd. Just as interventions did in Merthyr, I see the basing of Transport for Wales in...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his questions and say at the outset that we've been absolutely consistent in calling for amendments to the railways Act to be made? I believe it was also part of the UK Labour Party's manifesto that would enable us to see public bodies bid for current franchise opportunities and future franchise opportunities as well. That consistent demand by the Government has...
Ken Skates: Can I thank Russell George for his comments and for his questions? I'll deal with that final question first. I've actually asked today for Transport for Wales officials to offer a briefing session to Assembly Members and a familiarity session as well so that you're able to make direct contact with individuals responsible for various areas of delivery within the organisation. It is now public...
Ken Skates: For the first time, we have committed to a five-year programme of transport capital funding through Transport for Wales for both transport maintenance and new projects. This will ensure that these projects will be delivered in the most efficient and effective way, and with a headline target of driving 15 per cent to 20 per cent efficiencies across the five-year investment portfolio for new...
Ken Skates: Diolch, Dirprwy Llywydd. I welcome this opportunity today to update you on a number of developments with Transport for Wales. Transport for Wales was established in 2015 as a wholly-owned, not-for-profit company to provide support and expertise to the Welsh Government in connection with transport projects in Wales. My aspiration, however, for Transport for Wales is that it should develop and...
Ken Skates: I think it's not within my gift, but I would agree that this is something that we're urging the private sector to do very regularly to make sure that they're scanning opportunities that currently, perhaps, aren't being considered. I think it's essential that, right across Government—within Government and within local government—there are units that are set up, there are ways of learning...
Ken Skates: Yes, of course. Yes.
Ken Skates: The Member's absolutely right. We're likely to see change take place over the next 10 years that is greater than the change that has taken place over the past 200 years. Indeed, many changes will come so fast that we won't see them by the time they've already passed. I think it is essential that we look at emerging technological changes and trends. Certainly, that's a role that has been...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his contribution today and for bringing forward the subject to a short debate? It's a subject that I know he feels particularly passionate about, and today, again, he has delivered an outstanding speech, which identifies some of the major challenges, but also the opportunities that can be had if we adapt to the fourth revolution ahead of our competitors. It is...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question and suggest that, in order to really show his support for TVR, he puts an order in today for the new Chimaera? The last set of accounts do indeed state that, but it's incorrect to assume that the loan is non-repayable. We were not responsible for submitting those notes, but the quote 'no intention of demanding repayment', as I said to Russell George,...
