Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:19 pm on 23 March 2021.
Can I thank the Deputy Minister for his statement this afternoon? Also, can I acknowledge both Lee Waters's and Ken Skates's personal commitment to the cause of carbon-free transport? One cannot doubt that the aims outlined in this report are, indeed, laudable aims. We all want to see a greater use of public transport, more active travel and less use of cars, and where it is not possible to replace car transport, as many as possible should be electric. In fact, my colleague Caroline Jones has just shown her commitment by purchasing such a vehicle. It is comforting to see that there will be substantial financial backing towards achieving these ambitious goals. I particularly welcome the £70 million interest-free loan to Blaenau Gwent borough council to make improvements to the Ebbw Vale line, but can I ask whether this loan will be ring-fenced?
As one can see, I wish to support these ambitions in their entirety. However, can I issue a note of warning? The transition from car to alternative forms of transport must be gradual. People must be encouraged to make the switch, not penalised for not doing so. There are many who will never be able to use public transport for work purposes, and many more outside urban areas who will not be able to switch to the bicycle to access their work. It is therefore essential that any punitive measures taken by the Government to help implement their ambitions must take these factors into consideration. Would the Minister, please, address this?
We must remember that there are many in society who would relish the opportunity to switch to a brand-new electric car, but who are far too financially impoverished to be able to do so. We have to accept that there will be many old cars on our roads for some time to come, simply because many cannot afford better but will still have to use them for both leisure and work. Focusing on electric cars, we will have to have a substantial increase in charging facilities across not only Wales but the UK as a whole if we are to see an exponential take-up in their use. We also have to contend with the fact that the grid system in Wales will not—