Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Roads Review

Wednesday 23 March 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • James Davies inquired about discussions between the Wales Office and the Welsh Government regarding the impact of their roads review on transport infrastructure.
  • The response mentioned that Labour's road review plans could hinder progress rather than facilitate it, urging the Welsh Government to focus on investment and manifesto commitments.
  • James Davies referenced a 2017 study on the A55-A494 network, highlighting its strategic importance and capacity issues, asking how the roads review might affect plans for UKNE.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 James Davies Con
Transport Wales
Context

Discussions about the impact of the Welsh Government's roads review on transport infrastructure in Wales. The Welsh Government has a history of prioritizing investment and manifesto commitments.

Question

What discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the impact of their roads review on transport infrastructure.

Answer from Simon Hart

The Wales Office has regular discussions with the Welsh Government on cross-border connectivity. I am afraid that Labour's plans are more of a roadblock than a road review. I urge the Welsh Government to focus more on investment and on delivering their 2016 manifesto commitments to sort out the M4 relief road and various other vital links.

Not addressed: The questioner asked about specific discussions, but the answerer did not provide details of these conversations. Instead, he criticized Labour's plans.

How: Criticized Labour'S Plans, Did Not Address Specifics

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Q2 James Davies Con
Transport
Context

The A55-A494 network resilience study from five years ago recognized the route's strategic importance and vulnerability to disruption. It is crucial for economic future.

Question

Five years ago, the A55-A494 network resilience study, commissioned by the Welsh Government, recognised the strategic importance of the route and the fact that it is often above capacity and vulnerable to disruption. How does my right hon. Friend believe the roads review may impact on plans for UKNET, a high-performing strategic transport network for the whole of the United Kingdom?

Answer from Simon Hart

I know both the roads that my hon. Friend refers to—I travel on them regularly—and I am well aware of their importance to his constituency and the region's economic future. The UK Government's contribution to the road infrastructure is second to none. Some liaison is clearly necessary with the Welsh Government about certain aspects of that. We hope that they will publish their strategy soon and look again at their road strategy, because a simple moratorium on road improvements and new roads is not the way to restore economic prosperity in his area or anywhere else.

Not addressed: The questioner asked about how the review impacts UKNET, but the answerer did not address this specific issue.

How: Discussed General Importance, Criticized Welsh Government'S Approach

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