4. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport: Llwybr Newydd — A New Wales Transport Strategy

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:37 pm on 17 November 2020.

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Photo of David Rowlands David Rowlands UKIP 4:37, 17 November 2020

I think we all have to acknowledge that reforming the transport infrastructure in Wales is a very considerable task, but I think we all agree that we do have to have a fundamental shift in our transport usage, especially the need to encourage the public away from the use of the private car. It is a little bit unfortunate that your statement included a hint that you would be considering a charging system for private cars, because after all, it's the UK Government, the Treasury, that will be losing the revenue as we transfer from carbon-using vehicles to electric vehicles. So, can I suggest that, before any charges are introduced, we make sure that we have a first-class public transport system in place in Wales, and that public transport infrastructure is affordable, even for the most economically disadvantaged in our society? I don't want to be negative in any way about this, but I think we all have to acknowledge that, whatever public transport system is in place, there will still be many thousands, particularly in our rural communities, who will not have any other alternative but to use cars to get to work. So, any charging system that you might have will have to take that into account.

I'm sure, actually, reading your statement, Deputy Minister, we welcome the considerable efforts that you'll be making to consult with the general public, and I think that it's fundamental that we bring the general public along with us on this journey. There has to be both the carrot and the stick if we're going to achieve exactly what we want to achieve here. And I think that, across the Chamber, we all accept that we cannot go on in the way that we have over the last decades, because we all suffer from the traffic jams, et cetera, that are happening, and that's a huge economic cost to Wales as well. So, can I ask, in your consultation with the general public, that we can have your assurance that you will take their suggestions and ideas into account, even if they don't accord with the Government aspirations?