8. Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Local Government and Public Services: The Valleys Regional Park

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:29 pm on 16 October 2018.

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Photo of Gareth Bennett Gareth Bennett UKIP 5:29, 16 October 2018

Thanks to the Minister for his statement today. As we've noted, the Valleys have always boasted dramatic landscapes, so it makes sense to utilise that as far as we can. So, I think the basic idea of a Valleys regional park is quite a sound one, and I wish you well with progressing it, and I hope it comes to fruition as something that people from outside the area can enjoy as visitors, and people within the area can also enjoy as a facility that's local to them. 

Now, Dai Lloyd took us on a very evocative journey through the history and the culture of the Valleys. Nobody here is going to be able to match that. A lot of elements were—[Interruption.] I know. Yes, I acknowledge that, Bethan, myself. Now, Dai took us through a lot of different elements. Miners halls, he didn't mention because a lot of them are still there, but of course some of them are struggling, and they are part of that cultural fabric of the Valleys as well. So, I wonder how far they can be integrated into this vision of the Valleys regional park. I think they're an important part of the landscape. Rugby, I suppose, is another thing—some of the famous rugby clubs are struggling. I'm not sure if that has any relevance, but possibly it does.

I think that there are maybe three main issues that we need to tackle. There's a problem of transport connectivity, related to that there's an issue of infrastructure and facilities, and finally the issue of how far we can utilise the landscape to help with achieving future generations goals. As we know, there are problems in the Valleys—there are problems throughout Wales but sometimes in the Valleys they're worse with things like physical fitness, obesity, stuff like that. Can we use the proximity of the Valleys to the very dramatic scenery to encourage more physical activity? Is that going to form part of the plan? 

With the transport connectivity, we need things like the tunnels—the tunnels are a very good idea. I met people from the Rhondda Tunnel Society over the summer. They have come and they've developed the scheme from nothing. It is very much their vision and I'm glad that it's getting help from the Welsh Government. So, can you give us any more information on how that is going to be advanced? Obviously, we've heard from another Member—the Cynon Valley Member—that that's not the only tunnel, there are other tunnels as well connecting other valleys. 

There are also issues of public facilities. A lot of people go cycling up the Valleys as it is. They go up to places like the Rhigos and the Bwlch. Currently, there are a lack of facilities like cafes and public toilets. So, if we want to get more people there, we do need to look at the infrastructure, so what can we do—what can you do, rather, Minister, to encourage more infrastructure? Diolch yn fawr iawn.