Decision details

Debates are one of the most frequent items of business on the Plenary agenda. Many types of debate are brought forward in Plenary, including:

• Opposition party debates on a topic of their choice;

Other than in the case of Government debates, the time allocated for all other types of debates and their frequency are determined by the Business Committee

The item started at 14.51

 

Voting on the motion and amendments under this item was deferred until Voting Time.

 

A vote was taken on the motion without amendment:

 

NDM5675 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Welcomes the recent agreement between the Welsh Government and UK Government on rail electrification, which could reduce traffic levels on the M4.

 

2. Believes the Welsh economy needs an efficient, considered and structured transport project that delivers value for money, and that this must be put into effect at the earliest opportunity in order to alleviate chronic congestion on the M4 around Newport.

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to commission a full and swift review of all options, including giving the blue route equal consideration, with the principal aim of improving M4 capacity for the benefit of motorists and businesses.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
12	0	40	52

The motion without amendment was not agreed.

 

The following amendments have been tabled:

 

Amendment 1 - Jane Hutt (Vale of Glamorgan)

 

Delete point 3 and replace with:

 

Notes the joint commitment of the Welsh Government and Welsh Liberal Democrats to a detailed Environmental Impact Study on the Welsh Government's preferred route, and that no construction of the M4 relief road will begin before the next Assembly election.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 1:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
26	0	27	53

 

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the amendment. Therefore, the amendment was not agreed.

 

Amendment 2 – Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Delete point 3 and replace with:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to give full and equal consideration to the Blue Route as it continues to develop its proposals for the M4 corridor around Newport.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 2:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
9	0	43	52

Amendment 2 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 3 – Aled Roberts (North Wales)

 

Delete point 3 and replace with:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to improve the A48 southern distributor road and A4810 steelworks access road near Newport's Llanwern steelworks, as part of an integrated transport strategy for south-east Wales incorporating investment in public transport, rail freight infrastructure and the improvement of strategic local routes.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 3:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
5	0	47	52

Amendment 3 was not agreed.

 

Amendment 4 - Elin Jones (Ceredigion)

 

Add as new point at end of motion:

 

Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that its wider transport infrastructure expenditure plan results in a fair distribution of resources and investment throughout the country, not just around the M4 in Newport.

 

A vote was taken on Amendment 4:

For	Abstain	Against	Total
52	0	0	52

Amendment 4 was agreed.

 

A vote was taken on the motion as amended:

 

NDM5675 Paul Davies (Preseli Pembrokeshire)

 

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

 

1. Welcomes the recent agreement between the Welsh Government and UK Government on rail electrification, which could reduce traffic levels on the M4.

 

2. Believes the Welsh economy needs an efficient, considered and structured transport project that delivers value for money, and that this must be put into effect at the earliest opportunity in order to alleviate chronic congestion on the M4 around Newport.

 

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to commission a full and swift review of all options, including giving the blue route equal consideration, with the principal aim of improving M4 capacity for the benefit of motorists and businesses.

 

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that its wider transport infrastructure expenditure plan results in a fair distribution of resources and investment throughout the country, not just around the M4 in Newport.

 

For	Abstain	Against	Total
26	0	27	53

                       

As required by Standing Order 6.20 the Deputy Presiding Officer exercised his casting vote by voting against the motion as amended. Therefore, the motion as amended was not agreed.