The A55 is our key strategic route in north Wales and we continue to develop and invest significantly on improvements and upgrade schemes to improve resilience.

In order to ensure that the right candidate stations are taken forward to the next stage, the stage 2 assessment process has taken longer than planned. I am planning to announce the outcome of this work in February.

The detailed design for the Caernarfon and Bontnewydd bypass progressed at pace, along with ground investigations. I’ll be in north Wales tomorrow to formally launch construction work at the site.  

Our vision for north Wales is set out in our economic action plan, 'Prosperity for All'. The plan sets out our vision of 'inclusive growth, built on strong foundations, supercharged industries of the future and productive regions', all supported by a regionally focused model of economic development.

The Welsh Government’s priorities are set out in our economic action plan: to raise levels of wealth and well-being in Wales, while reducing inequalities in both.

We are making significant economic investments in north Wales. We are matching the UK Government’s £120 million investment in the north Wales growth deal. This significant investment is on top of our existing economic investments and commitments in north Wales, which include more than £600 million in transport infrastructure improvements.

Analysis by the Office for National Statistics shows the sectoral mixes of the Welsh and UK economies are not a significant contributor to differences in their respective levels of gross value added.