Winter Storms

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 2:04 pm on 10 January 2018.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 2:04, 10 January 2018

The A55 resilience study, which I commissioned, identifies many quick wins that can be delivered in the coming financial year. It is my intention to roll out those quick wins as soon as possible. We believe that most of them can be delivered in the space of six months. But, I have to say that, last week—as I live very close to the area where the A5/A483 was closed temporarily—it was essential that we closed that particular point on the road network. It was over a viaduct. It was absolutely essential that we didn't allow high-sided vehicles across that road. They could barely stand up in the wind that was in that particular area. We were already receiving reports on the trunk road network of trailers being blown over. So, it was absolutely imperative that we didn't put any lives at risk. I would agree that congestion causes the Welsh economy and the taxpayer too much, and that's why I commissioned the A55 resilience study. It is why we are moving forward with the pinch point programme across Wales and with considerable investment in bypasses around towns and other communities, and why we are committed to upgrading infrastructure the length and breadth of the country.