Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:29 pm on 14 February 2023.
Deputy Minister, you will be aware of my long-standing commitment to the Cynon Gateway North, working alongside residents of Llwydcoed and Penywaun and the local councillors there. The purpose of the gateway scheme is to mitigate the forced dispersal of traffic from the dualling of sections 5 and 6 of the Heads of the Valleys road, due to the permanent removal of the main Hirwaun entry and exit point. Can you place on record today the fact you understand that this is a scheme that is not designed to increase road capacity, but rather to mitigate the effects of the removal of this main route in and out of the Cynon valley? I'm encouraged to hear that local authorities will be able to start resubmitting their plans from the start of the next financial year, in just a few weeks' time. So, can you give an undertaking that your officials will work closely with Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to explore how this scheme might be amended in order to meet the future road building tests?