1. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on improving transport in North Wales? OAQ52635

Diolch. The national transport finance plan, which was updated in 2017, sets out our programme for the next three years and beyond right across Wales. 

Thank you for your answer. The A483, of course, which you're familiar with—the Wrexham bypass—is a key transport artery for north-east Wales, and for many years now improvements have been needed to the junctions connecting it to the town, and it is the responsibility, of course, of the Welsh Government. I think you yourself described Ruthin Road junction earlier this year as dangerous, following a tragic accident where a cyclist died. Now, you'll be aware that, of course, wasn't the only accident that's happened in recent times at that junction and, indeed, the economic development of the area is being hampered by these issues. Back in May, you did announce, of course, that the problems regarding  the junction would be solved within three years and that funding would be forthcoming. We're nearly six months into those three years. So, I was wondering whether you could give us an update as to whether that funding is forthcoming, because people locally, of course, just want to get a move on and see it done.

Can I thank the Member for his supplementary question and apologise for not responding to his first question in Welsh? I'll endeavour to do so whenever I'm asked questions in Cymraeg in the future.

The Member is absolutely right about congestion on the A483 and roads that lead onto that major trunk road, in particular Ruthin Road. There is a specific problem with the green filter light at the Ruthin Road junction, which needs to be resolved by the local authority. I'm in correspondence with Wrexham County Borough Council regarding that particular issue. But the Member is also right that junctions 3 to 6 on the A483 do require attention. I am pleased to say that we are progressing a study into solutions for easing congestion on those junctions. We're now at stage two of the Welsh Government's WelTAG process. That's been commissioned and the preferred solution is expected at the start of 2020, with work to commence thereafter. 

In addition to this, we've also identified, as part of the £24 million pinch-point programme, an A483 intervention specifically around the Halton roundabout further south of that particular junction that the Member raises. So, work is well under way in addressing all of those junctions and the Halton roundabout. 

The North Wales Economic Ambition Board published at the end of June a growth vision for north Wales draft proposition document, which identified poor transport links and physical infrastructure as hindering journey time, especially to major hubs, and identified five integrated travel zones they wished to focus on, including the A483 and Wrexham town centre as well as Deeside and through to north Anglesey. How do you respond to the statement in this plan or proposition document that they seek support of UK and Welsh Governments to be given more capacity and flexibility to make decisions at a regional level where our approach 'advocates regionalism and devolution'? I know you commented on this in response to my questions before, but time has now passed. Can you bring us up to date on your approach to this?

Absolutely. Can I thank the Member for his supplementary question and say that I very warmly welcome the proposal within the proposition document for those five key zones? I also very warmly welcome the ask within the proposition document for the creation of a regional transport body. I think this could be immensely beneficial in terms of accelerating the progress that's being made in terms of public transport and transport infrastructure in the region. I look forward to the coming months and to challenging in challenge sessions the north Wales growth deal propositions and to ensure that we get a fair deal not just from Welsh Government, but also from the UK Government, and that local authorities are also able to contribute to get maximum impact for the people of north Wales from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

Cabinet Secretary, last month I welcomed your statement on the investment in rolling stock in north Wales to help improve transport across the region. However, it's disappointing that parts of north Wales will have to make do with 30-year-old former district line trains, in contrast with south Wales, which will be having brand new. Cabinet Secretary, would you say that this is a fair deal for north Wales? 

Okay. Can I first of all say that the first new trains that will go on the tracks in the Wales and borders franchise that will begin next month will be going on tracks in north Wales? They'll be serving north Wales first. But the Member identifies the Vivarail solution for one particular route—it's the Wrexham to Bidston route. Now, the reason that that option was preferable over other rolling stock, and whilst, yes, they're based on former underground rolling stock, they are actually completely stripped, refurbished, re-engineered. They look, feel and operate as brand-new trains. However, the reason that we went for that option, Llywydd, is because we don't wish to see services stop at Bidston; we wish to see them continue through to Liverpool. And the only way that we can do that is by operating bimodal trains, because you have to carry electric-driven locomotives through the tunnel under the Mersey. And so, for that reason, we opted for that solution. We need to get over some regulatory challenges, but, in order to do that, we have to have the bimodal option. And if we had put an order in for new trains at this stage, we wouldn't be able to accelerate the process of ensuring that we get the Wrexham-Bidston line extended from Wrexham right through to Liverpool.