Transport Fit for Future Generations

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:56 pm on 9 October 2018.

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Photo of Carwyn Jones Carwyn Jones Labour 1:56, 9 October 2018

It's not clear how that would operate, and some of the things that I've seen would be the introduction of bus lanes on the motorway. Of course, there would need to be buses that would run on the lanes, and in some parts of it, a dual carriageway; you can't have a single-lane motorway, clearly. Preventing people getting onto the motorway was one suggestion that was made; moving freight onto the rails, which, of course, we want to support, but it's easier said than done, particularly goods traffic because there are very few goods yards now. 

I take on board, of course, very much what she says about congestion. It will get worse—there's no question about that. When the Severn tolls go, there will be an effect on the tunnels, and I think we are deceiving ourselves if we think that the situation will improve in the near future. So, there has to be a solution. From my perspective, the decision that I will be asked to take is, 'Should it be the black route or not?' and that is something, of course, I have an open mind on because I have not yet seen the planning inspector's substantial report on this matter.