7. Plaid Cymru Debate: The proposed M4 relief road

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:25 pm on 7 February 2018.

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Photo of David Rowlands David Rowlands UKIP 4:25, 7 February 2018

Can I say at the outset that my party will be supporting this motion? The reason for this is that, as has been said before, the M4 relief road scheme is one of the biggest and most expensive projects ever undertaken by the Welsh Assembly and one of such importance that the Welsh Government itself saw fit to launch a long-lasting and exhaustive inquiry into its form and format. It therefore would seem eminently important that the whole of the Assembly should have a meaningful input into the decision made, with reference to the outcome of the inquiry.

Our concerns are that if we are not allowed to engage in this way, the Government's intentions with regard to the black route will go ahead in spite of the findings of the inquiry. We cannot help but witness the agreement already reached by the Government and the ports authority with regard to the extra funding allotted to alleviate their concerns, which appear to have been entirely in relation to the planned black route. I feel it prudent to point out here that this is an M4 relief road, whatever the derogation may be. A relief road indicates that it will only truly be needed for periods of peak traffic use.

I'd therefore urge the Cabinet Secretary to keep an open mind as to which of the options available shall be chosen. I know that he will bear in mind the huge cost differential between the blue and black routes. This cost differential could be used on other much-needed transport projects, and I'm sure he'll forgive me for again mentioned the appalling condition of Rover Way, which is more redolent of a country lane than that of a main artery into the country's capital. I'm sure that there are many AMs across the Chamber who would be able to make a case for other much-needed projects, some of which have been mentioned earlier by Adam Smith, or even consideration of the modal shift mentioned by Julie Rathbone—[Interruption.]

I apologise. You're not that old, Adam, I'm sure. Adam Price. I do apologise for that slip, Adam.

However, I urge the Cabinet Secretary to allow this consultation and vote. After all, if things do go wrong with this huge project, the whole of the Chamber could then be held culpable.