5. 4. Statement: The Public Local Inquiry on the M4 at Newport

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:33 pm on 21 June 2016.

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Photo of Llyr Gruffydd Llyr Gruffydd Plaid Cymru 3:33, 21 June 2016

(Translated)

Well, as has already been mentioned, of course, we now realise that the Welsh Government is accountable to the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, which was world-leading according to the previous Government, and a piece of legislation, therefore, that should lead to change that would be world-changing. And many of us can’t understand how, under the duties of that Act, the black route has come as far as it has without being thrown to one side. But, that’s a matter of opinion, I suppose.

I do have two questions specifically. First of all, as these duties are now imposed on the Welsh Government to look at all decisions in the context of sustainable development, and to balance the various elements in a meaningful way, can you give us some flavour of how this public inquiry will differ now, given these new duties, compared to any similar exercise that may have taken place a few years ago, so that we can understand the practical difference that the well-being of future generations Act is making to the way in which the Welsh Government makes its decisions?

Secondly, you mentioned previously that you had asked for some work to be done to look again at the blue route. Can you expand upon that and tell us what exactly you’ve asked for, and can you give us some more details as to the scope of the work that you requested?