Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 2:13 pm on 20 March 2019.
Thank you for that answer, First Minister, and you've taken part of my question already. As you might be aware, the Afan valley has some of the most deprived areas in Wales and its economy has been hit because of loss of jobs and businesses up there. Now, as you rightly point out, I'd like to congratulate the Neath Port Talbot council on its decision to approve the outline application for the Afan valley resort, a project that is going to bring excitement to the community. It's intended to use local businesses and local people in employment. So, it’s going to, hopefully, regenerate the valley in one aspect of it, and the neighbouring Llynfi valley as well. But that project is also based upon an activity-centred resort. One of the biggest activities we can have is cycling, and as you well know, the Afan valley also has the connection between the Rhondda tunnel, which connects both valleys and the Rhondda valley through it. But there’s a big question on ownership of that tunnel still to be resolved so that they can actually seek funding opportunities to actually get that project under way, because that would be a huge attraction linked into the Afan valley resort. Now, Highways England still is the owner of that tunnel. What discussions are you having with both Highways England and the local authorities to take ownership of that tunnel so that we can get on with our project?