5. Welsh Conservatives Debate: Roads

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:17 pm on 26 February 2020.

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Photo of Nick Ramsay Nick Ramsay Conservative 4:17, 26 February 2020

Whenever someone from your own side intervenes, it's always good to agree with them. So, I feel, Russ, you've made an important point. Yes, it's too often today some Members have said, 'Why are you talking about roads?' Well, it's necessary to talk about roads; they are a vital part of the overall mix, and that's why we brought that motion here today.

As Mohammad Asghar said, the M4 is a vital artery around Newport; it's an outdated artery that needs to be improved. And as Suzy Davies said, we seem to be waiting a long time for all of these things; I can't remember exactly the anecdote you used, Suzy, but it was a very memorable one. Dave Rowlands, you once again called for Ireland, I think it was, the Republic of Ireland, to have some contribution to improving our road network in Wales; it's quite ironic, actually, given that we have left Europe, that we'd be looking to another country to do that. We know that there's funding on offer from the UK Government, and that funding is all important, and that funding needs to be employed in improving our road network. I've forgotten the number of the European route that you were talking about, but I think the M4 is part of that European route, trans-European route, as is the A40 in Pembrokeshire, which was mentioned by Paul Davies—a well worn plea for the dualling of the A40. Many years ago, I was part of the SO25 committee that looked at the Robeston Wathen bypass and whether that should be dualled or should be three lanes; in the end, it was three lanes.

But in closing, Dirprwy Lywydd, these are very important issues I'm glad we're discussing in this Chamber today. Yes, we need improvements in public transport. Yes, we need the metro to be fulfilled. Yes, we need electrification, which is happening along the Great Western line. All these things are fine. But at the end of the day, we will also need investment in our road network, because it's only because of roads like the A470 today that Wales hasn't come to a standstill before now. So, let's make sure that, moving forward, all aspects of transport infrastructure are properly funded by the Welsh Government.