7. Will the First Minister provide an update on plans for the Caernarfon/Bontnewydd bypass? OAQ(5)0367(FM)[W]

We are currently reviewing the responses received to the draft orders that were published in August last year. We will be making an announcement on the next stages shortly.

I met yesterday with the contractors for this programme—Jones Brothers and Balfour Beatty—and they are hugely concerned that no date has been announced for a public inquiry. That, in turn, will lead to a delay unless moves are made very shortly in that regard. The proposal has already been delayed by 12 months, as you will well know, because of arguments about bats. Certainly we don’t want any further delay. Can you give us an assurance that the contractors can proceed with this proposal early in 2018, which is according to the current timetable?

We are going through the issues that were raised in the environmental statement in August to ensure that they are all resolved. As regards Welsh Government’s commitment, may I tell the Member that the commitment to build the bypass still exists, although there has been delay? It wasn’t possible to avoid that delay. But, no, it’s crucially important that the road is built as soon as possible.