3. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on Welsh Government road improvement schemes in south-east Wales? OAQ51329

Yes. The national transport finance plan is a live document and contains an ambitious programme of interventions that are in varying stages of development for south-east Wales.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary. The work around junction 28 and Forge Lane roundabouts in my constituency has seen residents from Rogerstone, Bassaleg and Rhiwderin face a huge amount of disruption to their daily commute for many months. In that time, residents and commuters have been incredibly patient and understanding. However, with work on the Forge Lane roundabout coming to a close, the experience so far has not lived up to expectations. A new traffic lights system has recently been installed that has caused even further disruption and longer tailbacks during peak times. I know the Welsh Government have been urgently reviewing the situation, but can the Cabinet Secretary set out how traffic flow is being managed and provide myself, constituents and commuters reassurance that it will improve as a result?

I'd like to put on record my thanks to the Member for her keen interest in this matter and for representing her constituents vigorously on this very issue. I do recognise the disruption that has been caused as a consequence of these works, but we are trying to ensure that the work is completed as soon as possible. I was very pleased that the Member was able to meet with my project team, and I'm aware that that team are now preparing a report for Jayne Bryant, and I believe that that report should be ready and available this week. We'll share that report with you, and I can assure you that we have communicated and we will continue to communicate with all stakeholders regarding a project to help to minimise disruption to the people of Newport.

Cabinet Secretary, you recently announced a review of the project to dual the A465 for the Heads of the Valleys road because the project is running £220 million over budget and is behind its schedule. Work on this section of the road was due to be completed in spring 2019, but is likely to be delayed, resulting in additional costs, not only to public finances, but also to local companies, some of which may be forced to cease trading in the area, which we desperately need. When will you make a statement in this Chamber on this project, and what plans do you have to compensate the businesses adversely affected by the delay in the completion of this very important route? Thank you.

Can I thank the Member for his question and invite him to ask any companies in the region that believe they are suffering as a consequence of these roadworks to make contact with my department without delay? We may be able to assist, and, if we can, we certainly will do. But the site topography, the very area that has caused the delay—the traffic management requirements for that area and the complex ground conditions have meant that the contractors have found that the project is far more difficult to deliver than they'd originally envisaged and, indeed, planned for. It was for that reason that I requested a comprehensive commercial project review, and the outcome of this review I am expecting imminently. As soon as I have received that review, I will be making a further statement.

The Cabinet Secretary will be aware, I'm sure, of the fiasco of the Pwll-y-Pant roundabout in Caerphilly, and I am aware this isn't a Welsh Government road, but it is an important regional route, and it's having an enormous impact on local businesses and on people's daily lives. Can I ask if he, or his department, has engaged with the local authority in terms of looking at the nature of the contract between the local authority and the contractors? Is he looking at other options for the roadwork improvements around Pwll-y-Pant, perhaps the introduction of continental shifts, for example? Because local people cannot afford 12 months of disruption of this nature. There has to be a better way of improving the roads around Pwll-y-Pant.

I acknowledge entirely what the Member says. I will ask my officials to work with the local authority officials to identify ways of reducing the inconvenience to my colleague's constituents. I think it's important that, when roadworks take place, they are concluded as swiftly as possible with as little disruption as possible to those who use the roads. So, I'll ask my officials to engage directly with the local authority to find ways of minimising disruption and to bring the works to an end as soon as possible.