7. Plaid Cymru Debate: M4 Corridor Decision

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:19 pm on 28 November 2018.

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Photo of Llyr Gruffydd Llyr Gruffydd Plaid Cymru 4:19, 28 November 2018

Wow. I don't, and I'm glad that you reminded me of that. [Laughter.] Look at what else we could achieve if it transpires to be much higher than that. We could build the Swansea bay tidal lagoon, and I know there'd be one person here who'd be supportive of that; we could bring all homes in Wales up to a required energy efficiency standard; we could electrify 175 miles of train lines in Wales.

Now, these are the projects that, according to the future generations commissioner, could be built using the money for the M4, and I commend the future generations commissioner's report, 'Transport fit for Future Generations', which raises fundamental questions. It highlights that there are limitations to the modelling undertaken by the Welsh Government. The black route would exacerbate many of the societal and environmental challenges facing Wales, and the black route is weak on the criteria set out in the well-being of future generations Act. Now, as far as I'm concerned, the black route is incompatible with the well-being of future generations Act. We were told that the Act is world leading, and I'm happy to believe that, but it's only world-leading legislation when it leads to world-leading change, and this is very much business as usual. For me, it's a litmus test as to whether the Government takes seriously its duties under the well-being of future generations Act, and I very much hope that the decision will be left to the incoming First Minister.