1. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd on 28 March 2017.
5. Will the First Minister outline the Welsh Government's transport priorities for Pembrokeshire for the next twelve months? OAQ(5)0527(FM)
The national transport finance plan, published in July 2015, sets out the investment in transport and infrastructure and services in all parts of Wales for 2015 to 2020.
First Minister, the national transport finance plan of the Welsh Government highlights only one project for Pembrokeshire in the next 12 months, and that is the proposal to turn the A477 from Pembroke Dock to Johnston into a trunk road. Now, the Swansea bay city region deal will, hopefully, have a positive impact on the west Wales economy and on the Pembrokeshire economy, so would you agree with me, First Minister, that, in light of these important economic developments, it’s now time for Governments to co-operate to turn the A40 into a dual carriageway in order to make the most of the impact of these proposals in west Wales?
First of all, it’s true to say that the project from Llanddewi Velfrey to Penblewin is crucially important. Secondly, of course, it is possible for the city deal to consider new projects in terms of transport—we can certainly consider that. And, thirdly, in taking over the franchise next year, it’ll be very important to ensure that the rail service is also improved in Pembrokeshire, and to link Pembrokeshire with the rest of Wales and the rest of the UK.
First Minister, ports are a very important part of transport in Pembrokeshire, and particularly the link between Wales and Ireland. With Brexit happening this week, I am concerned that we will see less transport in terms of goods carried between Britain and Ireland, and also in terms of passengers, with a lot of talk about developing more direct links between France and the Republic of Ireland in order to avoid Britain once we have left the European Union. That will undermine Pembroke Dock and Fishguard. So, what steps are you taking as a Government and jointly with the UK Government to ensure that we keep transport between the ports of Pembrokeshire?
I’ve raised this a number of times with the Government in Westminster. I’ve also raised it with the Irish Government, and I discussed it with the Taoiseach when he was here on 10 March. The concern that I have is that if it’s easier to go through Northern Ireland, that’s where goods will go. If there’s more paperwork that has to be filled in going through Holyhead, Pembroke Dock, and Fishguard, if there’s any kind of official border in Wales but nothing of that sort in Northern Ireland, then goods will go through Cairnryan, through Liverpool, and the ports that have links with Northern Ireland. Now, the Republic of Ireland understands this, of course. It’ll have an impact on Dublin and Rosslare, and it’s crucially important that the arrangements in terms of border crossing are the same between Wales and the Republic of Ireland as between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.