The Expert Commission on the M4 Corridor around Newport

Part of 3. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:33 pm on 5 June 2019.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 3:33, 5 June 2019

Can I thank John Griffiths for his questions, and for his contribution in particular with regard to the 'predict and provide' model? This is something that the inspector considered in great depth, and I'd like to take this opportunity to put on record my thanks, not just to the inspector, who has sadly passed away, but to his team that did such a commendable job over many months. I, more than a year ago, said that I wished to ensure that every person had the ability to be able to contribute to the public local inquiry. I think that did occur, and that's why the public local inquiry took such a great length of time, but the inspector and his team did a fantastic job in ensuring that all evidence could be carefully considered and presented. 

John Griffiths is right that there is no free money attached to the announcement that the First Minister made. There is no windfall that will see vast amounts of money spread right across the length and breadth of Wales. Why? Because much of the cost would have come from other transport projects that would either have to be cancelled or delayed, would have come from school building projects, hospital and healthcare building projects, or new homes. Those projects will now, as a consequence, go ahead. So, we won't necessarily be introducing new pet projects to a list. A list that yesterday, the First Minister said, amounted to about £2.2 billion; today, it's £3 billion. And I'm sure that it will continue to rise. 

The commission are tasked with solving a very specific and definable matter—that being congestion on the M4 in and around the Brynglas tunnels. And so it will be for the commission to consider any proposals that will contribute towards the alleviation of congestion, including any work that might have to be undertaken in opening stations or enhancing stations in order to get more people to use public transport, which could then contribute towards a reduction in congestion. I do not wish to prejudge the work of the experts in this field; instead, I wish the commission to judge any proposals that might come forward.