The Heads of the Valleys Road Enlargement Scheme

Part of 3. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 2:56 pm on 22 November 2017.

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Photo of Andrew RT Davies Andrew RT Davies Conservative 2:56, 22 November 2017

As Nick Ramsay alluded to, there are considerable cost overruns projected on the eastern side of the Heads of the Valleys dualling, and we've seen figures that obviously have indicated substantial cost associated with the final section on the western side. I think everyone supports these improvements, because, overall, they will drive economic activity along the Heads of the Valleys, but what is deeply concerning is the potential knock-on effects for other capital projects if some of these figures do become a reality being talked about for the two projects: the one at the eastern end, which is under construction at the moment, and the proposed final dualling on the western end.

As finance Secretary, are you committed to making up that shortfall that the department might find itself with, with these considerable cost overruns, so that other capital projects around Wales will not have a detrimental impact on the money that's available to them and the timeline for delivery of those important transport projects across Wales?