8. Will the Minister provide an update on noise mitigation proposals along the A40 in Monmouthshire? OAQ54218

I'm very pleased to inform the Member that design development of noise barrier and surfacing works for the action plan priority area near the Bryn on the A40 are currently being finalised, and works will begin this summer and autumn.

You've answered my supplementary question already, Minister. Clearly, this question is as well worn as that road surface on the A40, which I raise frequently. As you've just said, residents living in the Bryn and neighbouring communities close to the A40 dual carriageway do put up with daily noise pollution because of the ageing concrete road surface of that stretch of road, which needs to be replaced at some point with whisper tarmac. I know your officials have been working on noise mitigation proposals, including acoustic fencing—you've already mentioned that, so I'd be grateful if you could give us a timescale for that. Also, something that came up at a recent residents meeting—has any consideration been given to the possibility of a reduction in the speed limit for at least a stretch of that road? Because in other areas where speed limits have been reduced, maybe to 50 mph, that does produce a lower level of noise pollution. It may be one easy, quick solution to actually dealing with some of that noise pollution.

Can, I please, Llywydd, check whether that particular area is part of the 600 sites that we are currently assessing under the speed limit review? It may well be that it is, but I will check and report back to the Member. In regard to the other question that he posed, I can confirm that the noise mitigation scheme will be delivered this financial year between Raglan and Abergavenny. I'm also pleased to inform the Member that a £4 million A40 Wye bridge scheme will alleviate congestion on the A40 coming into Wales, as well as improving traffic flows in Monmouth. We are investing as much as we possibly can with strained resources to ensure that we have better connectivity across Wales.