3. Statement by the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales: Burns Recommendations — Next Steps

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:18 pm on 8 December 2020.

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Photo of Ken Skates Ken Skates Labour 3:18, 8 December 2020

Well, can I thank Jayne Bryant for her questions and for her comments regarding the report and the historic problems concerning her constituency and the challenges that her constituents face on a daily basis? Jayne Bryant has been a powerful advocate for greater investment in and around the Newport community, and I very much welcome her contribution today. I have to say that, in a very short space of time, Lord Burns constructed a vision of twenty-first century, integrated transport for south-east Wales, and now it's our determination to move forward in implementing the recommendations at equal pace. That's required in order to serve the needs and the demands and desires and hopes of the people living in Jayne Bryant's constituency and those people who live right across the south-east Wales region.

Now, in terms of some of the challenges that Lord Burns has faced during the course of his work, one was the assumption that I outlined just a short while ago, that most of the congestion is caused by local journeys. This is not the case, and actually more than 90 per cent of journeys on the M4 involve going from one local authority to another, demonstrating how a regional solution is needed, and that, in turn, is why we also have to have that single mind, that delivery unit, which is being constructed right now, which will meet this month to ensure that all key stakeholders, all key delivery partners, are working together to the same ends. And in terms of some of the quick wins, well, Jayne Bryant will be aware that, already, the south Wales main line enhancement development programme is under way, that we're already developing the rapid bus and commuter cycle corridors, that trials are taking place concerning rapid bus services and alternatives to traditional scheduled services, that we're looking at commuter cycle corridors as well, and also, of course, that work is being undertaken at pace on Newport city centre interchange development.

Now, also in terms of early work, workplace travel planning will be undertaken to alleviate congestion on the M4. And with regard to the Ebbw Vale service and frequency enhancement, well, Transport for Wales, as the Member I know is aware, have developed a proposal for an interim additional hourly service to operate between Crosskeys and Newport, and potentially beyond to Gloucester, whilst we await the infrastructure work that isn't due to be completed until the 2023. Now, Welsh Government officials are continuing to work with Transport for Wales to develop this proposal further and to enable the service to operate from next year and to continue to run until the full service can be introduced, as I say, in 2023. We're seeking to introduce it as soon as possible, obviously subject to those regular scheduled timetable changes that have to take place. Obviously, in order to increase capacity further on the Ebbw Vale line, we'll also need funding from the UK Government, which has responsibility for the infrastructure both on the Ebbw line and the south Wales main line. And we've already submitted a bid to the UK Government's Restoring Your Railway accelerated ideas fund to secure the funding to progress the work on reopening the Abertillery spur. So, we're awaiting a decision on that particular application.

In terms of Caerleon, well, I was delighted that Lord Burns backed our long-held proposals for a station at Caerleon, and, in taking forward this work to develop potential stations that are recommended by Lord Burns, I will be asking Transport for Wales to ensure that appropriate consideration is given to a new station at Caerleon. But I must also stress that the development and the implementation of this will depend on support and commitment from Network Rail.