Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:59 pm on 23 January 2018.
In your statement, you say Transport for Wales will work with Welsh Government's new regional teams, emerging transport regional authorities and partners to create an integrated transport network. In this context, you'll be aware of the growth deal bid from north Wales that was submitted in a few days before Christmas, with negotiations due to commence with both Welsh Government and UK Government early this year. What, therefore, is the expected timescale for those negotiations?
Given your instruction, in your statement, to Transport for Wales to bring forward proposals for a north Wales office, how do you respond to the growth bid's invitation to the Welsh Government to support the formation of a regional transport body to deliver strategic transport planning and projects in north Wales, on a region-wide basis, with powers delegated to the body from local authorities and Welsh Government to allow it to operate in an executive capacity, with a regional transport fund of £150 million over 10 years, including the Welsh Government's existing £50 million for the north Wales metro commitment?
Would you also tell me why there's been no Welsh Government conversation with Bus Users Cymru regarding rail-bus integration? What is Transport for Wales doing regarding bus passenger representation, as well as engagement with sector providers?
Clearly, you will be aware of D Jones & Son, Acrefair bus operators, ceasing to operate just before Christmas, following the demise of GHA Coaches in 2016. Concerns were raised by Llyr earlier regarding the impact on Wrexham business or industrial park, and employees not being able to get home between 5 and 6 in the evening. How, therefore, do you respond to a concern raised with me, with you in writing, by the lead member for transport at Wrexham, but also by representatives of the Confederation of Passenger Transport Cymru, Bus Users Cymru, Traveline Cymru and the Welsh Local Government Association in the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee last week, that there would be no tangible actions or outcomes coming out from the bus summit in January 2016 and the workshops that followed?
And, finally, it's a question actually from a Flintshire resident and constituent who travels cross-border, and is in the context of cross-border provision: what action do you propose where the integrated conurbation of Deeside and Merseyside is only linked by an 'unlit, single lane trunk road, with the A550 road blocked or choked every day' as people from north Wales travel between Deeside, Flintshire, north Wales and the Wirral and Merseyside? Thank you.