I’d like to thank the Member for giving me an opportunity to confirm that the headquarters of Transport for Wales will be located in the Valleys. When I made my statement, which was comprehensive, back in July I said it was my intention to ensure that that happens, and I can tell Members today that it is still my intention, once we have identified suitable premises, for the headquarters of Transport for Wales to be located in the Valleys.

Presiding Officer, I set out details back in July for taking forward the Wales and borders franchise and the next phase of the metro, and last week’s announcement was part of the procurement process. In terms of what my officials told the media or anybody else, there is nothing new in what was presented other than the four bidders that have been named. Transport for Wales, as the Member is aware, is a not-for-profit, wholly owned subsidiary company of the Welsh Government and will act in a professional advisory capacity to support our procurement and delivery of the next Wales and borders franchise. It employs 22 members of staff—experts who I’m confident will be able to address the concerns of the report that the Member identified. In terms of the map, which was raised earlier in First Minister’s questions by the Member Leanne Wood, we have reached an agreement with the Department for Transport on the map, including the provision for services that will extend to Bristol and to Liverpool.

In terms of the operation of cross-border services, the Member will be aware that we’ve already established and agreed one agency agreement with the Secretary of State and we are in the process of finalising an agreement with the Secretary of State on a second agency agreement that will concern cross-border travel. However, I recognise that there are real and legitimate concerns across the border amongst many passengers who start and finish their journeys within England. For that reason, I am determined to make sure that we have the right processes in place for their complaints or, indeed, for any of their concerns to be expressed and to be dealt with appropriately. For that reason, I anticipate ensuring that the cross-border forum that currently exists continues well into the future.