5. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport: Ambitions for Great Western and North Wales Main Lines

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:48 pm on 8 May 2018.

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Photo of Suzy Davies Suzy Davies Conservative 4:48, 8 May 2018

Thank you, Dirprwy Lywydd. An interesting statement there of 1,200 words, Cabinet Secretary, although it took you until page 3 of your statement to say that you cannot stand in the margins complaining when, actually, you did spend over half your statement, over four minutes of it, complaining about exactly that. I must admit I don't feel hugely better informed about what your plans are, but I am grateful to you for the information regarding the broader objectives for my region, especially looking at alternatives for those heavily polluting parts of the M4 at the same time as expanding, I think it was, the city region's transport—you know that some of us have been talking about that here for some time. You'll also be aware that my constituents in Neath are particularly excited about the offer made by Professor Barry in his original schematic, which I've been reassured is just a starting point.

Briefly, I just wanted to ask you about the omission from your statement of a Swansea parkway. I did a very quick and dirty survey in the area that could benefit from a Swansea parkway, and whereas 89 per cent of respondents thought that would help the city deal, less than 20 per cent of them said that they were happy with the current situation, and more than half of them said they would support the idea of a parkway. When you're continuing to share your ambitions with the Secretary of State, will you be offering in-principle support for a parkway?