Questions Without Notice from the Party Leaders

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:53 pm on 2 October 2018.

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Photo of Gareth Bennett Gareth Bennett UKIP 1:53, 2 October 2018

Yes. I hear what you say about the south Wales metro, First Minister, but I believe there are possible doubts over the future funding of it, given your Government's commitment to the M4 relief road scheme. So, there may be some uncertainty over the south Wales metro. But, anyway, I don't want to go down that avenue today.

I suppose, ultimately, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and we have come to a state of virtual gridlock at rush hour in many areas of Wales. So, I would have to say that, whatever measures you are taking to encourage working from home, they don't seem to be having an appreciable effect.

Now, another pressure on road networks at certain specific times of the day is the school run, whereby parents pick up children and students from schools and colleges. I do sometimes wonder what effect your programme of school closures is having on the lengthening traffic jams. According to the school census results published by Statistics for Wales there are almost 300 fewer local authority schools than there were 10 years ago. That is an average of nearly 30 schools closing every year in Wales. First Minister, would you agree that Welsh Government policy has actually driven more people into their cars for the school run?