3. Will the First Minister make a statement on transport links in Ynys Môn? OAQ(5)0637(FM)[W]

We are committed to investing in a modern and high-quality integrated transport system to ensure Ynys Môn is a competitive and connected component of the Welsh and UK economy.

Thank you. It's some two and a half years since the former Minister for the economy confirmed to me that work was ongoing to try and deliver plans to improve the links between the A55 and the port of Holyhead, where there are major traffic jams at the moment, particularly when lorries try to leave the port. Now, people ask me often when they will see this road completed, and I share their concerns about the delays. That connection was never truly completed; the A55 was built to the surrounds of the port, but not in and out of the port. Now, I understand that we need other investments, too, in the port. I would appreciate a sign of commitment from the Government to proceed with renovation work on the barrage, or the cob, in the longer term, but can we have a short-term commitment here and now that this crucial connection will see the light of day, in line with the aspirations of people living in that part of Holyhead, who are concerned that there is a risk in the current situation, as well as it being a nuisance, of course?

Discussions have taken place with Network Rail on this; the Minister has been involved in those. This is part of the considerations on the development of the port itself. And, of course, as regards the island, Ynys Môn, we are now looking at a third crossing on the Menai strait. The next phase of development has begun, and a route will be declared in May 2018. And so that is progressing in the way in which we would expect.

You referred to the third Menai crossing, and clearly, congestion on the existing Menai and Britannia bridges has been a problem for many years. It’s a decade since a Welsh Government-commissioned report identified eight options, including a new bridge, but that didn’t go forward to delivery. You said last May that you’d promise to make the third crossing your priority for north Wales if you form a Government and, of course, your Government announced before Christmas last year that it had appointed consultants to look at routes for a proposed new crossing to Anglesey, which could begin by 2021 if it gets the go-ahead. Can you provide an assurance that we’re not going to have a re-run of 2007 when we had similar assurances after a commissioned report was produced for the Welsh Government and that you envisage this going ahead on the basis of the situation remaining as it currently does?

We have appointed Aecom to support our next phase of the development work. That will result in the announcement of a preferred route in May 2018. Our aim is to see the third Menai crossing open in 2022.