Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:48 pm on 24 May 2017.
Yes, I campaigned against that 13-lane monstrosity in support of local people, which your colleagues actually did when they realised there was an election just a couple of months ahead. I gave evidence to that consultation. I hope that what comes out this time is more in keeping with the sustainability needs of the local community.
You talked about enhanced rail capacity in north-east Wales. It would be wonderful if the Welsh Government could catch up with the Mersey district, the Liverpool districts, and actually announce that it’s going to support and invest in this side of the border so the Halton Curve proposals do not simply end at the border. Similarly, it would be nice if the Welsh Government could announce it was going to restore the two miles it removed from the Wrexham-Chester line.
He referred to a third crossing of the Menai. Again, we had a consultation—I believe eight or nine years ago—which made a series of recommendations. It appears it’s groundhog day there as well because we’re having another consultation on options for a Menai crossing—I referred to that earlier. But as he said, we need to ensure productivity increases and futureproof against automation through a new place-based approach, working with the UK Government-supported growth deal in north Wales, through the city deals in south Wales, and hopefully through a mid Wales growth deal, too. But that will require the Welsh Government to recognise that the proposals of a north Wales growth vision and in the bid that’s going forward require it to give up some power to the region also. Thank you very much indeed.