6. Statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales: Metro Projects in Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:41 pm on 25 February 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 5:41, 25 February 2020

Can I first of all pick up on the point of HS2 again? If my interpretation of Plaid's position is correct, Plaid are opposing, under all circumstances, HS2; that includes if HS2 were to be extended to north Wales. That is Plaid Cymru's position. I think it's absolutely right that people in north Wales know that Plaid Cymru would oppose high-speed rail services to north Wales. It's absolutely vital that people understand that.

In terms of west Wales and the development work, that development work has been conducted. We've also funded development work by the four councils in south-west Wales. A metro scheme must begin, first and foremost, with an assessment of what we're trying to solve, what problems we're trying to overcome. That's precisely what's happening with WelTAG studies. That's precisely what's happening with metro enhancement framework projects to assess corridor opportunities, and then to carry out further work in order to discover whether it would be best to deploy rail-based solutions or bus solutions. That is consistent with work right across Wales, whether it be in the south-west Wales Valleys, or north Wales, or the south east of Wales as we enhance the metro in the south east as well.