Ken Skates: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I'm pleased to have the chance to respond to this short debate and I'd like to thank Neil Hamilton for his contribution and to members of UKIP for remaining in the Chamber. I've greatly valued the opportunity to listen to the Member outlining his optimistic vision of a post-Brexit Wales and a post-Brexit UK, but it's still our view that having full and...
Ken Skates: I can say to the Member that my officials are working with Network Rail to review the scheme, as he said—to review the objectives, to review the delivery plan and the cost estimates to deliver the most effective infrastructure solution to enhance frequency of services along the Ebbw line. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that communities along that line are better connected. In terms...
Ken Skates: Yes. The appointment of the operator and development partner to deliver the next Wales and borders rail services and the metro will lead to a step change in services and connectivity in south-east Wales, along with the rest of Wales and the borders.
Ken Skates: I've asked my officials to address these concerns, which have been raised with me as well by employees. I think it's important that any concerns about the safety of officials is taken on board and addressed immediately. I have also asked my officials to look at the resourcing of that particular service to ensure that there are sufficient people on hand to be able to deal with any incidents. I...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question and for showing such an interest in this part of Wales? I would agree that this specific area is a black spot in terms of road traffic accidents. It can be unsafe at times for pedestrians as well, and I'm determined to make sure that it is improved in terms of safety. There are two parts of the A494 that the Member has recently raised with me that I...
Ken Skates: Yes. The road safety framework for Wales sets out the actions that we and our partners are taking to achieve our casualty reduction targets.
Ken Skates: I'd like to take up that very issue, if I may, on behalf of the constituents that the Member has spoken with, and I'll ask my office to make direct contact, if that's okay, so that we can discuss with those businesses the problems that they face. The review should be with me imminently, and it's my intention to make a further statement as soon as it is available. That statement should provide...
Ken Skates: Well, the Member is simply not right to suggest that rural Wales fares far worse than urban Wales in terms of—
Ken Skates: —superfast broadband connectivity. I recall, when I was responsible for skills and technology, that we chose Gwynedd as the pathfinder area for business exploitation of Superfast Cymru. If you look at some parts of rural Wales, they're amongst the best-connected parts of the UK. Superfast Cymru—[Interruption.] Superfast Cymru has delivered superfast broadband faster, sooner, at a quicker...
Ken Skates: I'd like to thank the Member for his question and say that the feasibility work is being undertaken at the moment. I believe it will be concluded in the new year. The UK Government is, of course, still responsible, unfortunately, for funding railway infrastructure in Wales. However, the feasibility study, once complete, will be used to inform Network Rail's, and indeed the UK Government's,...
Ken Skates: Well, rural Wales has specific opportunities, and also specific challenges, that must be faced, and these have been brought into sharpened focus as a consequence of Brexit. We are considering all the levers at our disposal, across all ministerial portfolios, in shaping and influencing an agenda of prosperity for all.
Ken Skates: I'd like to issue a statement concerning the A40 and say that the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales will play a crucial role in assessing the best forms of connected infrastructure linking ports and other facilities across Wales. The advertisements for the chair of the commission are due to be issued imminently, and I do think that, particularly in a post-Brexit environment, the...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for her question and, again, her keen interest in this matter in Fishguard? I am aware of the area, and I can assure the Member that I'll carefully consider the petition, but what it calls for is a medium- to longer-term solution to the problem that we face right now, whereas I wish to see action taken in the short term as well, to remedy the problem. So, my officials...
Ken Skates: Yes. We are progressing a number of projects in mid and west Wales that include road, rail and public transport. The national transport finance plan sets out investment for transport, infrastructure and services from 2015 to 2020, across all parts of Wales.
Ken Skates: I acknowledge entirely what the Member says. I will ask my officials to work with the local authority officials to identify ways of reducing the inconvenience to my colleague's constituents. I think it's important that, when roadworks take place, they are concluded as swiftly as possible with as little disruption as possible to those who use the roads. So, I'll ask my officials to engage...
Ken Skates: Can I thank the Member for his question and invite him to ask any companies in the region that believe they are suffering as a consequence of these roadworks to make contact with my department without delay? We may be able to assist, and, if we can, we certainly will do. But the site topography, the very area that has caused the delay—the traffic management requirements for that area and...
Ken Skates: I'd like to put on record my thanks to the Member for her keen interest in this matter and for representing her constituents vigorously on this very issue. I do recognise the disruption that has been caused as a consequence of these works, but we are trying to ensure that the work is completed as soon as possible. I was very pleased that the Member was able to meet with my project team, and...
Ken Skates: Yes. The national transport finance plan is a live document and contains an ambitious programme of interventions that are in varying stages of development for south-east Wales.
Ken Skates: I was recently at the WTO in Geneva. I met with various experts and came away from there having learnt a good deal about economic development, sustainable development and inclusive development, but I also learnt that the likely consequences of reverting to WTO rules could mean that the UK economy shrinks by between 8 and 10 per cent. That would not be good for the services sector, and it...
Ken Skates: But the fact remains that—. The Member said that it has dropped significantly; it hasn't dropped significantly in terms of exports—from just over 60 per cent to just below 60 per cent—to the EU. So, the consequences of leaving with no deal in place would be pretty devastating for the Welsh economy, and it would not be compensated for by establishing deals elsewhere around the globe with...
