6. Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on highway safety on the trunk road network in north Wales? OAQ51310

Yes. The road safety framework for Wales sets out the actions that we and our partners are taking to achieve our casualty reduction targets.

One of the accident black spots that there has been in my constituency in recent years has been on the A494 trunk road, particularly in the area between Loggerheads and the Clwyd Gate area near Llanbedr DC. I was very grateful to the Cabinet Secretary for making his officials available for a site meeting along that stretch of the road in late October, and also for the follow-up correspondence that was sent by the Cabinet Secretary following that meeting. Can you tell me the timescales for the improvements that your letter set out, and what further action might be taken to reduce the speed of traffic, in particular, on this busy road?

Can I thank the Member for his question and for showing such an interest in this part of Wales? I would agree that this specific area is a black spot in terms of road traffic accidents. It can be unsafe at times for pedestrians as well, and I'm determined to make sure that it is improved in terms of safety. There are two parts of the A494 that the Member has recently raised with me that I believe require action. First of all, moving to the A494 section at Llanbedr DC, I can tell the Member that draft traffic orders will be published at the beginning of December, and I hope to see work commence as soon as possible there. With regard to the A494 at Loggerheads approaching the Clwyd Gate, the amber lights attached to the warning signs, which I know the Member was concerned about, on the approaches to the Colomendy centre have been repaired, and vehicle-activated signs will be installed in this financial year.

In terms of the extension of the 40 mph speed limit west from Loggerheads, before a draft order is published, consideration is going to be given to terminating the proposed extension of the 40 mph speed limit west from Loggerheads beyond the Tafarn-y-Gelyn junction, so that we can ensure that the orders are published in the correct way. The visibility from the B5430 junction to the east along the A494 will also be checked, and I can assure the Member that any obstructing vegetation within the highway boundary will be removed. A review of the white lining of the bends to the east of the Clwyd Gate will be undertaken, and signing and lining measures will also be investigated regarding the safety of pedestrians as well, crossing at the Clwyd Gate. I hope these measures will be to the satisfaction of the Member and his constituents, but if any further site visit is required, I would be happy to attend, along with my officials.

From February, Cabinet Secretary, the responsibility of traffic officers of the Welsh trunk road agency will be expanded to include the A483 from Chester—the Posthouse—down to Chirk and parts of the A55 on Anglesey. Now, extending that service without adding to resources means that the service will be spread more thinly and there will be implications for, or a risk to, the quality of the service as a result of that. What assurances can you give, given that there are going to be additional responsibilities? Shouldn’t there also be additional resources available, too?

I've asked my officials to address these concerns, which have been raised with me as well by employees. I think it's important that any concerns about the safety of officials is taken on board and addressed immediately. I have also asked my officials to look at the resourcing of that particular service to ensure that there are sufficient people on hand to be able to deal with any incidents. I have also asked for the issue of pay to be examined as well, with a view to ensuring that any concerns over disparities can be addressed.

And finally, question 7—Steffan Lewis.