6. Will the First Minister make a statement on investment in transport in north Wales? OAQ51792

Welcome to the Chamber. I think that's your first question, so I'm delighted to be the one answering it. Our plans for investment across north Wales are detailed in the 'National Transport Finance Plan 2017 Update'. Our resources are directed to achieving a sustainable and integrated transport system that supports all modes of transport. 

Thank you. Leader of the house, we know this Government is delivering game-changing investments in Alyn and Deeside, from redevelopment of Shotton station to the £250 million road investment and improvement across the Deeside corridor. This investment is definitely welcomed by my constituents, but I'm sure you'll agree that we can and should do more. Transport links within the local communities and across north Wales are very important as are links from the north to south. But I'm sure you'll agree with me that links with our English neighbours are vital. Will the Minister update us on the work being done to ensure that we have closer economic and transport links with the north-west of England? 

Yes, very important points. We certainly recognise the importance of improving transport connectivity between north Wales and north-west England, and that's why we're working closely with organisations on both sides of the border to develop and deliver improvements across all transport modes. Representatives from Cheshire West and Chester, Merseyside travel and Wirral are members of the north Wales and north-east Wales metro steering group to ensure we plan and deliver improvements in a joined-up way. In terms of bus services, officers are working closely with Merseytravel to improve bus connectivity between Liverpool and north Wales and we're expecting a proposal to be brought forward by a bus operator to run the long-distance service shortly. 

I'm sure as you're aware, the 'West and Wales Strategic Rail Prospectus' was launched in Westminster yesterday—with Ken Skates speaking alongside the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling—a proposal developed by a partnership of public and private sector bodies on both sides of the border. Clearly, we also support the proposals within that. But parallel to that and critical to its success will be the calls in the growth deal bid for north Wales. How, therefore, does the Welsh Government respond to the call, or the invitation, in the growth deal bid for north Wales, to come to both Governments, inviting the Welsh Government to support the formation of a regional transport body and a regional transport fund where additional powers will be needed to enable the planning of integrated passenger transport networks? 

My understanding is it's part of the consideration of the connectivity that I was just talking about. The Cabinet Secretary's indicating to me that it will be part of the consideration, but, if the Member wants to write for very specific details, I'm sure he'd be happy to give you specifics. 

An all-party group from north Wales heard from the Cabinet Secretary earlier this afternoon on this Government’s plans to create a series of transport hubs across north Wales and we welcome the investment of tens of millions of pounds in that infrastructure, but, simultaneously, a few weeks ago, we saw the publication of a report that Wales saw the biggest decrease in the number of miles travelled on public buses throughout the whole of the UK. Now, whilst the Government talks of significant capital investment, which is to be welcomed, it’s also clear that we need corresponding revenue investment to actually cease this decrease in the use of bus services. So, would you agree that the risk is that it would be a mistake to invest in transport hubs if we are still losing fundamental services on our buses?

I think the whole situation with bus transport is a fraught one. We are indeed spending an enormous amount of money on bus transport right across Wales, not just in the north of the country. Once we have the bus regulation powers devolved to Wales, we will have to have, I think, a fundamental look at how we use that subsidy money, including both revenue and capital subsidies, because I think all of us in this Chamber have problems with bus services in our area and there are some significant difficulties around the planning of the routes and the preponderance of routes where, for example, concessionary travel passes are unavailable and so on. So, I actually completely agree with the Member that a fundamental look needs to be had but I think we need to look at the point in time when we have the power to regulate, so that we have a bit more leverage in terms of some of the routes that we would like to see. I'm not familiar with the specific routes in his area but I can assure you that, in my area, I have many of the same difficulties. We will certainly be looking at it again.