The Expert Commission on the M4 Corridor around Newport

Part of 3. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:29 pm on 5 June 2019.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 3:29, 5 June 2019

Can I thank David Rowlands for his questions? It was remiss of me not to answer the question that I think was first put by Russell George concerning the cost of the commission. I can assure Members that the cost of the commission will be kept to an absolute minimum, because we'll be providing the secretariat services and we'll be providing the transport expertise in the form of existing officials and their time.

In terms of the composition of the commission, I am also keen to see potentially a police representative—a traffic officer who is able to offer advice and expertise and intelligence on that particular stretch of road. In terms of new submissions, this will not be a fishing exercise by the commission. The commission will consider all of those proposals that already exist, and any that those experts themselves wish to consider. That said, I'm also determined to ensure that the citizen's voice is heard, and so, as I said in my statement, I have asked the commission to come forward with proposals for how the people, not just of the area that this road affects, or the region that it affects, but the whole of Wales, can become part of a co-produced process.