5. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport: Connecting Wales, a strategic approach to Transport

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:34 pm on 12 December 2017.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 4:34, 12 December 2017

I'd agree with the Member's assertion that we need to ensure that the investment in the metros in the south, the north and potentially in the Swansea bay and western valleys leads to more homes, more services and more businesses being located around hubs and around station developments. It's absolutely essential that we take this once-in-a-generation opportunity of infrastructure—huge infrastructure investment—to develop communities that are more cohesive, better connected and which encourage a shift in the modes of transport that are utilised by citizens. 

I'd just like to take up the issue of demand for public and private transport. With the likely roll-out of autonomous and connected vehicles in years to come, it's likely that ownership of vehicles will reduce. It is also entirely probable that demand for autonomous vehicles will be greater than for driven vehicles. As a consequence of ownership dropping, vehicles will be on the road more regularly and they will become, in all likelihood, more accessible as well. That means that we have to design the infrastructure in such a way as to ensure that people are connected, whether it's by public transport or by autonomous private vehicle. But, also, there's something in between, which is essentially community transport and also urban transport, which sits in between traditional forms of public transport, such as buses and trains, and taxis, and they could be autonomous or semi-autonomous minibuses as well.331

There is a whole raft of interventions that could be planned and utilised, particularly in urban areas, and I think this is an exciting time. It requires the most creative and determined people to drive the sort of change that will benefit not just individuals, but also the economy and the environment. I can assure the Member that WelTAG 17 is something that is a departure from the past. It's a departure because we designed this and developed this hand in hand with the future generations commissioner, and tomorrow I hope that Members will be able to be reassured that WelTAG 17 is a distinctly different set of guidance proposals than currently exists.