2. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact that the road review outcomes will have on promoting prosperity and tackling poverty in north Wales? OQ59168

Thank you for your question. 'Llwybr Newydd' and our response to the roads review set out a vision for a transport system that is good for society, the environment and the economy. Our national transport delivery plan is aligned with the programme for government, promoting prosperity and tackling poverty.

Thank you, Minister, for that response. As you will know, almost all major road building and upgrade projects across north Wales have been scrapped with this roads review, which is quite staggering for my residents in north Wales. Communities and residents that I represent have been let down again by this Labour Welsh Government. Minister, private road transport is the only practical option for many of my residents in north Wales because of the rurality and the lack of public transport options. Eighty-five per cent of people rely on a car or motorbike to go about their daily lives, including going to work, tackling poverty, which I know you're passionate about as much as I am. And the Confederation of British Industry Wales have outlined that, when supporting our environment, we need to ensure that the solutions don't damage the economy, because these decisions need to both protect our environment and promote prosperity and tackle poverty, which this roads review is not going to achieve. So, in light of this, Minister, what is your response to the legitimate concerns from my residents that this roads review will hold back the people of north Wales even further, whilst having a negative impact on promoting prosperity and tackling poverty?

Thank you for that question. I would like to refer to the comments that were made by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change when he gave his statement last week. He did say, and we recognise, that as people drive more, fewer people use public transport, resulting in fewer services being viable, leaving people with even fewer alternatives. And this, in terms of tackling poverty and inequality, disproportionately disadvantages women and people on low incomes. We know, from the data, that they're the most dependent on public transport. And we know that people are often forced into being dependent on running a car to access work, and it can be punitive in terms of that cost. So, we need to make sure that we are making that change that will stop doing the same thing over and over, because it's not working, and we need to invest in real, sustainable alternatives—and, of course, that is rail, bus, walking and cycling projects—if we are to reach net-zero targets. This is about tackling climate change after all. It's the huge commitment that, across the Chamber, but led by the Welsh Government, we want to achieve.