Many thanks for the opportunity to speak in this debate today. While the Plaid Cymru motion recognises the congestion issues around Newport, I'm concerned that by putting the word 'includes' in the motion, the significant challenge around Newport will be lost, and will divert the focus away from solving this particular problem.

I'd like to say that the blue route is no silver bullet and, for me, is a complete non-starter, which the inspector suggested, and I know that my colleague John Griffiths as well also feels the same about the blue route. The M4 around Newport is the most heavily used road in Wales. It's critical to the Welsh economy, it provides access to industry, ports, airports and is crucial for tourism. The vast majority of this traffic is not local traffic. We cannot see the funding siphoned away to hundreds of different projects. If it is, its impact will be diluted, and Wales's gateway to both England and Europe will still be a road that the independent inspector's report stated does not even meet modern motorway standards.

I'm clear that the money that has been set aside for tackling this specific problem must be spent on doing exactly that—tackling the congestion and air pollution caused by the M4 around Newport. The Welsh Government has given assurances that the commission will have first call on the money that would have otherwise been set aside. They must be given the resources to put their solutions into practice. The commission is due to report in six months, and I know that the Minister has said that it might be able to report back sooner than this. I'm keen to find out how the people of Newport and the wider area will be able to monitor the commission's progress.

The motorway cuts through the city, and local air quality is deteriorating, caused by idling traffic, which pollutes more than flowing traffic. Welsh Government statistics have shown that doubling of use of public transport would only reduce traffic on this stretch of the M4 by 6 per cent. When we talk about local traffic, the 20 miles, I would like to remind Members, can actually include Bristol, and I'm not quite sure that people who live in Bristol think that they're local to Newport. We've already seen a 10 per cent increase in traffic since the Severn bridge tolls were removed. Today's motion and amendment are about where we go from here. This is an opportunity for Newport to be a test bed for some exciting low-carbon projects. But let's be clear; we need to see solutions that work, solutions that will make a very real, improved difference to people who have waited patiently, while the situation's only got worse.

The recent announcement by Newport Transport of 15 electric buses is very welcomed—one to arrive in February, followed by 14 in 2020. This small number is a good start, but they have a fleet of 99 buses, and if we're determined to increase bus travel, we'll undoubtedly need more. I know Welsh Government is having discussions with the bus industry to look at how it can reach a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2028. This is admirable, and certainly something we must achieve. However, what actions can be taken to ensure that every time we replace a polluting bus or taxi, it's not sold on to pollute another part of the country? When congestion builds up on the M4 around Newport, many drivers use their sat navs to try and avoid it. This pushes them onto local roads, taking them even closer to homes and schools—roads that are not suitable to have such heavy vehicles on, or the volume of traffic. I'd be interested to hear what discussions the Welsh Government can have with companies to try to resolve this.

Many ideas have already been proposed that I'm sure the expert commission will examine. A peak time for congestion is during the school run. I believe one suggestion would be to look at Newport to trial free bus travel for all primary and secondary pupils living over a mile's radius from their schools. By enabling pupils to use buses, you not only instil a habit of public transport use in the next generation, but you also free up work opportunities for parents. The price and eligibility for school transport mean many parents currently have no option but to decide between work and driving their children to school. This solution will not solve everything, but could form part of a green and sustainable integrated Newport transport network.

My constituents have waited patiently for over 30 years for something to be done, and they need reassurances that urgent action is being taken. Anything less is not good enough for the people of Newport and Wales.