Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:35 pm on 24 April 2018.
Can I call for three statements, please—the first on road safety in Conwy and Denbighshire? The leader of the house will be aware that there has been an announcement of a task and finish group for an extremely dangerous stretch of road, known as the Evo triangle, which crosses the border between Conwy and Denbighshire in my constituency. It's a 20-mile stretch that is promoted by online forums and magazines as a place where people should be speeding, and enjoying the thrill of the ride. But, unfortunately, this has led to some serious accidents, and a number of deaths on that particular stretch. Before Christmas, the Welsh Government announced that a task and finish group had been set up, and that task and finish group made a recommendation for average speed cameras along the route. I was very disappointed, just last week, to be informed by Conwy County Borough Council that, following the encouragement to promote an average speed camera bid, the Welsh Government had turned down the funding application to install average speed cameras along that route. So, I'm afraid my constituents have had their hopes of a safer road traffic situation in that part of the constituency completely dashed. And I think they're owed an explanation from the Minister, in this Chamber, so that we can find out precisely why the Welsh Government has denied the funding to make their promise of an average speed camera route along there possible. So, I think we need an update on that, please.
Can I also call for an appropriate statement on the targeted regeneration investment programme? I understand there's a draft document out at the moment, for the period 2018-21, and it does refer to one place in my constituency—the area of Pensarn, near Abergele—but, unfortunately, it seems to have missed out completely a quite impoverished community in a place called Sandy Cove, along that stretch of the coast between Rhyl and Abergele. I was wondering whether there might be an opportunity, given that it's a draft document, to petition the Government to review the situation, so that Sandy Cove can be included, particularly given the serious situation with unadopted roads.
And, finally, given your responsibility for faith communities, leader of the house, will you join me in congratulating the Baptist Union of Wales on its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary? Many Assembly Members were present at the celebrations, which were held across in the Pierhead this afternoon, and I do feel that that should be recognised here in the Chamber this afternoon, by you, in your capacity as the Minister for faith communities. The Baptist Union of Wales has had a tremendous impact, not just on the people of Wales, but also around the world, through its missionary activities, and I think we owe it to them to recognise that tremendous contribution that they've made.