1. Will the Minister provide an update on Welsh Government transport investment plans for Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney? OAQ53403

Yes. I am committed to investing in better transport services and infrastructure in Merthyr and Rhymney, and I understand that good progress is being made with the new Merthyr bus station.

Thank you for that answer, Minister. Transport and infrastructure investment does obviously remain a high priority in my constituency. Irrespective of the Brexit process, I'm clear that improvements to be delivered through the metro system, progress in the next phase of improvements on the A465 Heads of the Valleys, along with the bus station that you've just mentioned are all causes for optimism in the years ahead. So, can you therefore just confirm that these key infrastructure projects are now to be delivered with urgency and pace, so that my constituency continues to see further positive changes in line with that which was outlined in 'Our Valleys, Our Future' programme?

Yes. Can I thank Dawn Bowden for her question that covers three areas—the metro system, the A465 and the new bus station? Progress is being made at pace on all three key components of our intervention within the Valleys region. First of all, I can say that, with regard to the A465, we are making good progress in terms of the orders. We're going to be in position to be able to move forward with the next sections of the scheme. Construction is planned to start early in 2020 and will take approximately three and a half years to deliver. This is a huge undertaking, an infrastructure project valued at almost £1 billion for the Heads of the Valleys. And in terms of Merthyr bus station, £10 million is being committed under the Wales infrastructure investment fund to help develop that particular piece of infrastructure, and the local authority, I'm pleased to say, has submitted a further application to the local transport fund for 2018-19 for the construction of the bus station. So, officials are currently assessing the application. 

In terms of the metro system, as the Member is aware, the south Wales metro will deliver four trains per hour from Merthyr to Cardiff Queen Street from 2022, and from 2023 for Rhymney services. Transport for Wales will introduce new metro vehicles—if you like, tram trains—on the Merthyr line in 2022, and that will mean that there are 600 more seats in morning peak times, and 1,000 more seats during evening peak times, and journey time between Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff Central will fall from the current one hour to approximately 48 minutes from December 2023. All of these interventions are designed to remove the key barrier of lack of decent, modern, affordable public transport that people need in order to access jobs.

Minister, improvements to the A465 Heads of the Valleys road are critical to the social and economic regeneration of communities such as Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney. You will be aware, Minister, that concerns have been expressed about delays and the increased cost of the dualling of the A465 between Gilwern and Brynmawr. Given that the next stage of improvements, between Dowlais Top and Hirwaun, is due to commence this year, can the Minister confirm that this project will commence on time, and what lessons has he learnt to ensure that the delays and costs overrun experienced previously will not occur again in this instance? Thank you. 

Can I thank the Member for his question? As I outlined to Dawn Bowden, we expect construction to begin in 2020. The phase of the scheme that the Member refers to, in terms of the cost pressures, has been an extremely difficult challenge for the contractors. We are, of course, managing cost overruns. It's our intention, though, to make sure that the entire project is delivered as soon as possible for the least quantum of investment, and so that people can find their communities regenerated across the Heads of the Valleys region.