NDM7274 Welsh Conservatives Debate - Roads

NDM7274 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the importance of roads as vital economic arteries which promote prosperity.

2. Acknowledges the adverse economic and environmental impact of poor road connectivity and congestion.

3. Regrets that the First Minister has taken the unilateral decision not to proceed with the M4 relief road in spite of the support offered by the UK Government.

4. Calls upon the Welsh Government to:

a) work with the UK Government to deliver an M4 relief road as soon as possible;

b) develop proposals for a major upgrade of the A55 trunk road and the dualling of the A40 to Fishguard;

c) engage with the UK Government to progress the delivery of a Pant/Llanymynech bypass.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 - Rebecca Evans (Gower)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the climate emergency and the cross-party consensus that exists to realising net zero emissions, including decarbonisation of the Welsh road and public transport network and achieving modal shift.

2. Acknowledges the interdependence of road and rail infrastructure and the importance of the Welsh Government’s £5bn rail service, bus re-regulation and record investment in active travel in delivering a low-carbon, multi-modal transport network which will play a part in alleviating traffic congestion on roads.

3. Regrets that road traffic congestion has been exacerbated by the UK Government’s £1bn underfunding of transport infrastructure in Wales and failure to electrify the mainlines in north and south Wales, leading to increased traffic on our trunk roads.

4. Further regrets that the UK Government’s decade of austerity has had a direct impact on the maintenance of the UK’s road network.

5. Calls upon the UK Government to:

a) make a similar commitment to the Welsh Government to fund a comprehensive package of borderland road and transport projects to improve strategic arterial routes into Wales including the Broughton Corridor around Chester; the A5 from Shrewsbury to Wales and at Pant/Llanymynech;

b) help alleviate congestion on the road network by pledging £1bn to electrify the mainline from Crewe to Holyhead, invest in the upgrading of the Wrexham to Liverpool Lime Street line and fully electrify the South Wales mainline.

6. Notes the decision and oral statement made by the First Minister on Tuesday 4 June 2019 regarding the M4 corridor around Newport project and the significant work being undertaken by the South East Wales Transport Commission to develop sustainable and effective solutions to congestion in Newport and the wider region.

7. Welcomes the Welsh Government’s commitment to reduce road traffic congestion, including an unprecedented £1bn package of improvements to road and transport infrastructure in North Wales, including major upgrades of the A55 and A483, active travel schemes and the North Wales Metro.

[If Amendment 1 is agreed amendments 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 will be de-selected]

Amendment 2 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point after point 2 and renumber accordingly:

Recognises the importance of investment in green public transport in tackling the climate emergency and in easing road congestion.

Amendment 3 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Delete point 3 and replace with:

Affirms the principle that the Welsh Government should be accountable to the Welsh electorate and this Senedd for road and public transport infrastructure priorities in Wales.

Amendment 4 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Rejects any attempt by the UK Government to determine the road and public transport infrastructure and spending priorities of this Senedd on its behalf.

Amendment 5 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new point after point 3 and renumber accordingly:

Regrets the failure of both the Conservative UK Government and Labour Welsh Government to deliver a Wales-wide package of infrastructure investment in the road and public transport network.

Amendment 6 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

In point 4, delete sub-point (a) and replace with:

'ensure the rapid development of a long-term vision for a green and sustainable integrated Welsh road and public transport network, which includes giving priority to addressing the congestion issues around Newport;'

Amendment 7 - Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new sub-point at end of point 4:

'improve transport links between north and south Wales.'