Cwestiwn ysgrifenedig WQ83814

Following the First Minister’s decision not to proceed with the M4 Relief Road, the South East Wales Transport Commission (SEWTC) was established to consider the problems, opportunities, challenges and objectives for tackling congestion on the M4 in South East Wales and make recommendations to the Welsh Government on long term solutions. It should be noted that the Commission was operationally independent from the Welsh Government.

The Commission considered a wide range of options to tackle congestion on the M4. The Commission's final recommendations were endorsed by the Welsh Government in January 2021. Details can be found online at Commission recommendations endorsed by Welsh Government.

Llwybr Newydd - Wales Transport Strategy places people and climate change at the front and centre of our transport system. The Strategy places emphasis on reducing the need to travel and then where people do travel, they do so by sustainable transport means where this is possible. The SEWTC recommendations are ideal to deliver on this.

We need fewer cars on our roads, more people using public transport and more walking or cycling. Where we need new transport infrastructure, we must take this new approach to face into the climate emergency. We will use the Sustainable Transport Planning Hierarchy to give priority to meeting the demand for travel by walking, cycling and public transport ahead of private motor vehicles.

Earlier this year we appointed Simon Gibson CBE as Chair of the Burns Delivery Board, with Dr Lynn Sloman MBE as Vice Chair. Together they are overseeing the progression of the 58 Burns recommendations by the dedicated Unit set up in Transport for Wales. The Delivery Unit are making good progress and I look forward to receiving their first annual report shortly. They are employing a new way of working to bring together varied stakeholders to deliver the multi-modal recommendations. For example:

• They have scoped the next batch of technical work needed to enhance the South Wales Main Line ready for the UK Government, and their Union Connectivity Review, to improve this non-devolved infrastructure.

• They are developing options for flagship improvements in cycling and bus infrastructure between Cardiff and Newport, and in central Newport, bringing together and supporting the Local Authorities.

• They are developing ways in which we can get buses to the poorly accessed Severn Tunnel Junction Railway.

• They are working with Dafydd Trystan, the Chair of the Active Travel Board, to look at options for encouraging behaviour change.

• They have directly funded pilot secure bike storage facilities coming in Cardiff and Newport, plus a set of other immediate active travel measures such as bespoke cycle lane cleaning machinery.