Can I thank the Member for his questions and for welcoming the statement today? I'll deal with the last of the points that you made first, specifically the role that the national infrastructure commission will have. Clearly, the work that I've announced today in this statement is designed to provide, at the earliest stage, compelling reasons for investment to be forthcoming from the Department for Transport. Longer term, the national infrastructure commission and the experts who will sit on that commission will have a role in influencing, informing and scrutinising any proposals from Welsh Government and Transport for Wales.

In terms of Transport for Wales and the role that Mark Barry has in informing the work that Transport for Wales is doing, and where the Department for Transport is concerned, Professor Barry brings expertise that currently complements what Transport for Wales has to offer. It's my view that Professor Barry is able to inform Transport for Wales in an objective way and inform the UK Government's decisions in an objective way by offering us expert views, expert analysis and an evidence-based approach to the projects that should be prioritised in the early stages. I think it's fair to say that there is good complementarity between what I've announced today and the economic action plan. Indeed, if you look at the programme for government, we have a united and connected Wales at the very heart of our desire to drive up prosperity. Equally, the Department for Transport's investment strategy highlights the need to build a stronger, more balanced economy by enhancing productivity and responding to local growth priorities. Both that strategy and 'Prosperity for All' have better connectivity right at the heart of their objectives.

I do believe that the Member is absolutely right in talking about the need to enhance integration of public transport services, particularly in rural areas. Although this statement today does not concern, necessarily, buses, the Member is right to state that the success of trains in the future in serving passenger needs will be dependent on better integration with bus services. It's also important to point out that the success in recent times of the TrawsCymru network should not be underestimated. It's a long-distance network, often connecting communities not served by rail services. It, along with reform of local bus services that will come through legislation and, hopefully, through Welsh Government and local authorities working with the sector, will deliver better integration, not just in terms of timetables, not just in terms of physical infrastructure and hubs, but also in terms of ticketing. That work is being taken forward in parallel with the work that Professor Barry is undertaking in identifying the early projects that require investment.

Regarding mid Wales, it sits within both. Mid Wales is crucially important in connecting the whole of Wales, in ensuring that we deliver at the heart of 'Prosperity for All' a truly united and connected Wales. So, it will be essential that the Cambrian line is considered in all of the work that's undertaken and that we go on working with partners across the border to develop cross-border transport links, both in terms of rail and bus services. It's my expectation that the early work that will be completed by Professor Barry will be with me by July. I've already stated that it's my intention to go out to consultation in the second half of this year, and so I would hope to have his early findings on my desk in the coming two to three months.

I think access to airports is absolutely critical. The Member is right. Liverpool airport—connectivity to it from north Wales will be enhanced through investment in the Halton curve, but there will also be investment through the new franchise in service provision. We've signed the memorandum of understanding with Transport for the North, the aim of which is to ensure that consideration given to transport proposals on the English side of the border respects and reflects passenger needs and individuals' needs in Wales. So, in the future, I would expect better connectivity between north Wales and Manchester Airport to be a key consideration for Transport for the North. Indeed, it's fair to say, given the critical role of Chester station as a major hub serving north Wales, its role in providing transport provision for people living in north Wales will be even more important. So, it's absolutely vital that, in my view, the Department for Transport invests in service provision at Chester station. It requires considerable work, and I think it deserves the investment that Cheshire West and Chester have been calling for for many years.